A six-year-old girl is watching a “Peppa Pig” video on her cell phone when it is suddenly interrupted by the creepy suicide-game character Momo, which frightens her, and alarms her mother when she shows her.

Mom responds by removing the YouTube app from the child’s phone and tablet.

OK, so Mom has solved the immediate problem. But why does this young child have a phone? Or a tablet? I understand that these tiny portable babysitters are extremely convenient for busy parents who want to keep kids out of their hair, but this whole technology thing is getting out of control.

Parents have been parking their kids in front of the television for about 70 years now, but children’s television shows were vetted and usually safe for children’s consumption. (Not that I’m saying it’s good to use the television as a babysitter, but I’m being realistic here.) Now people are giving free rein to kids to watch anything posted by anyone.

This is going to sound really old-fashioned, but my question is, why don’t today’s parents say:

“Go read a book.”

“Go play with your toys.”

“Go play in the yard.”

instead of giving them phones and tablets? Books and toys are certainly safer, and far more educational.