🌅 Childhood Smartphone Ownership Is Linked to Mental Health Risks

SOURCE

Barzilay et al. (2025)

WHAT TO KNOW

• A new study by researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found owning a smartphone by age 12 is associated with increased risks of depression (30% higher odds), obesity (40% higher odds), and insufficient sleep (60% higher odds). The researchers used data from 10,500 children who participated in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the U.S.

WHY IT MATTERS

• While the study couldn’t prove causation (experts say such a study would be extremely difficult to design), the researchers say the findings make it clear the age at which a child is given a smartphone indeed matters. The study also suggests smartphones could be a significant factor for teen and adolescent health, since adolescence is a sensitive time during which even modest health symptoms could lead to long-term consequences. The authors also pointed to previous research finding young people who have smartphones may have fewer in-person interactions, less physical activity, and worse sleep.

CONNECT THE DOTS

• The authors say their study isn’t meant to shame parents who give their child a smartphone, nor are they calling for restrictions on youth smartphone usage. However, they believe the current body of evidence calls for further research to inform guidelines on the optimal age of ownership, type of smartphone, and uses.