A new study of over 10,000 US adolescents has found that children who own a smartphone before the age of 12 face increased risks of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep, compared to peers without smartphones. The research, led by Dr. Ran Barzilay of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, contradicts a smaller 2022 Stanford Medicine study that found no such connection.
The study, which analysed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study collected between 2018 and 2020, also found that those who acquired a smartphone between ages 12 and 13 had a raised risk of mental illness and insufficient sleep at age 13. The researchers did not investigate which specific features of smartphone use are linked to poorer health.
Dr. Barzilay emphasised that smartphones should be viewed as a significant factor in teen health, urging parents to approach the decision to give a child a phone with care. He noted that while smartphones can help children socialise and are important in emergencies, parents should establish clear usage terms, set guidelines for phone use in the bedroom and during meals, and adjust privacy and content settings.
The study comes as smartphone ownership among children rises, with 51% of children aged eight and younger now owning a mobile device, up from 45% in 2017. More than 60% of parents of 11- and 12-year-olds report their child has a smartphone, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
Future research will investigate specific aspects of smartphone use, such as app types and usage patterns that negatively impact health. Dr. Barzilay stressed the importance of young people having time away from their phones to engage in physical activity, which can protect against obesity and enhance mental health over time.
