News Desk news.uloscah.com
A major new study suggests that giving children a smartphone before age 12 may have significant impacts on their mental and physical health.
Published in Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed research found that early smartphone ownership is linked to a higher risk of depression, poor sleep, and obesity among young adolescents.
The findings come from an analysis of more than 10,000 U.S. children who participated in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term investigation into child brain development in the country.
>>>Teens Using Weed Early Face Later Life Struggles<<<
Early Smartphone Ownership Tied to Mental Health Concerns
Researchers from Children’s Hospital Philadelphia, UC Berkeley, and Columbia University discovered that children who owned a smartphone by age 12 were more likely to experience:
- Higher symptoms of depression
- Insufficient sleep
- Increased risk of obesity
Lead author Dr. Ran Barzilay said the team examined a simple but powerful question:
Does simply owning a smartphone at an early age impact health?
“We didn’t even look at what the kids did on the phone,” he explained. “Just having their own device was associated with worse health outcomes.”
The study also found that kids without smartphones reported better mental health one year later than those who had them.
>>>Check out “Early Peanut Introduction Helps Thousands of Babies Avoid Allergies<<<
Younger Kids Experienced Worse Outcomes
Among the 10,000+ young participants:
- 63.6% owned a smartphone
- The median age for receiving their first phone was 11 years old
The younger the child was when they received their phone, the greater the risk for:
- Sleep disruptions
- Weight gain
- Psychological distress
These risks persisted even when researchers accounted for other devices, like tablets.
>>>Rising Youth Death Rates Signal a Growing Global Health Crisis<<<
Why Smartphones May Affect Health
The study did not analyze screen time or app use, but previous research has linked early device ownership and heavy digital engagement to:
- Interrupted sleep from late-night phone use
- Exposure to social media stressors
- Reduced physical activity
- Increased sedentary time
Barzilay notes that smartphones still have benefits — helping kids connect socially, supporting learning, and providing safety — but parents should weigh the risks carefully.
>>>Hepatitis B Vaccine for Newborns<<<
Rising Concerns About Screen Time and Youth Health
Experts have long warned about the impact of excessive screen time on young people.
- In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy urged families to create tech-free zones and promote in-person relationships.
- Several states have also begun banning phones in schools.
According to Pew Research Center:
- 95% of teens ages 13–17 owned a smartphone in 2024
- Over half of 11–12-year-olds already have one
- Even children as young as 5–7 are owning smartphones in growing numbers
Next Steps: Understanding What Makes Kids Vulnerable
Researchers plan to study whether specific types of smartphone activities — such as social media use, gaming, or nighttime browsing — contribute to the negative effects.
They also want to examine children who received smartphones before age 10, a group that may face even greater risks.
“Our goal is to understand who is most vulnerable and how to protect them,” Dr. Barzilay said.