The problematic use of electronic devices among minors is increasing, and specific withdrawal symptoms mark the addictive nature of this use. This Commentary offers a different perspective on the problem, proposing the smartphone as a third actor in the parent–child relationship: the issue involves not only minors but also their parents—how parents use smartphones, and how they mediate the relationship between children and smartphones. Specific constructs have been theorized to explain how this use interferes with the parent–child relationship. Technoference refers to the continuous, daily interruptions of parent–child interactions caused by smartphone use. The type of parent–child attachment is also important to consider, as children have been found to seek satisfaction of certain needs online when parents do not adequately respond to their requests. Active parental mediation is recommended to regulate children’s smartphone use, favoring shared rules and dialogue over restrictive control. Future research should focus on the role of fathers in the intergenerational transmission of problematic smartphone use.