Owning a smartphone before the age of 12 may be a hidden gateway to health and psychological risks

A recent American study involving more than 10,500 children and published in the journal Pediatrics found that owning a smartphone in early adolescence is associated with higher risks of depression, obesity, and sleep deprivation.

The study’s findings, based on data collected between 2018 and 2021, show that nearly two-thirds of children own a smartphone before reaching the age of 12.

According to the researchers, children who have smartphones were 31% more likely to suffer from depression, 40% more likely to develop obesity, and 62% more likely to experience insufficient sleep (less than nine hours per day), compared with children who do not own phones.

Dr. Ran Barzilay, the study’s lead investigator from the University of Pennsylvania Health System, urged that smartphones be regarded as a significant factor affecting adolescents’ health. He stressed the need for caution when deciding to provide a child with a smartphone, carefully weighing its potential benefits against its negative consequences.

Although the study does not establish a direct causal relationship between phone use and these health issues, Barzilay emphasized the importance of seriously considering the implications, while also acknowledging that smartphones can play a positive role in strengthening social connections and supporting learning among adolescents.