Research Links Early Smartphone Use in Children to Increased Health Issues

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 95% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 and nearly 60% of children aged 11 to 12 own or have regular access to smartphones. The proportion of teens who report using the internet "almost constantly" has risen from 24% in 2014-15 to 46% by 2023.

The research team analyzed data from over 10,000 U.S. teens between 2018 and 2022, accounting for various factors such as socioeconomic status, ownership of other electronic devices, and parental oversight of phone use. Nearly two-thirds of the adolescents studied had acquired a smartphone by age 12.

Ran Barzilay, a psychiatrist at CHOP and co-lead researcher, stated, "Owning a smartphone by age 12 is associated with worse health outcomes across the board — more depression, more obesity, more insufficient sleep." The study indicated that the risks associated with obesity and insufficient sleep escalated the younger children were when they received smartphones, with negative effects manifesting within a year of ownership. Kids who did not own a smartphone by age 12 and acquired one soon after were notably at a higher risk of mental health problems and inadequate sleep by age 13 when compared to their peers who still did not have smartphones.

Published in the journal Pediatrics, the study highlights a significant rise in concerns regarding the impact of digital technology on children's well-being. A 2020 Pew survey revealed that about 71% of parents believe that widespread smartphone use among young children may lead to more harm than good. When asked about appropriate smartphone age, 73% of parents recommended that children should receive smartphones only after turning 12.

Parents appeared to be more lenient regarding tablet use; around 65% deemed it acceptable for children to have their own tablets before age 12. Furthermore, about 86% of parents limit screen time, and 80% impose penalties by taking away privileges. Additionally, 75% of parents monitor the apps and websites their children access.

Last year, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for social media companies to label their platforms with warnings about mental health risks. Both Minnesota and California have enacted laws to require such warnings, with New York potentially becoming the third state to do so. California's law mandates that platforms like Instagram and TikTok must display warnings after users under 18 exceed three hours of usage, with repeated alerts every hour afterward.

To mitigate excessive smartphone use, CHOP researchers recommend that parents actively monitor their children's phone usage and establish clear rules about their use. They also suggest using privacy settings and discussing smartphone-related health issues regularly. Barzilay emphasized, "It's critical for young people to have time away from their phones to engage in physical activity, which can protect against obesity and enhance mental health over time."