Want to limit your tween’s smartphone use? There’s an app for that

Does you daughter suddenly have no time to answer your texts? (Dreamstime)

Nara Nayar has a modern-day superpower: She can shut down apps on her 12-year-old son's phone remotely, without arguing or cajoling. 

Nayar and her husband, who live in Oak Park, Illinois, have turned to one of the many popular apps that allow parents to set time limits for their kids' smartphone use and block distractions, including games and social media apps like Snapchat.