PHILADELPHIA, USA (Kashmir English): Kids who owned a smartphone by age 12 had a greater risk of depression, insufficient sleep, and obesity compared to those who didn’t, research has confirmed.
A research team led by Ran Barzilay, a psychiatrist and researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, linked getting a smartphone at a young age to worse health consequences. His recent study was published in the medical journal Pediatrics.
The study found that kids who owned a smartphone by age 12 had a greater risk of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep.
That was based on observational data collected between 2016 and 2022 in an ongoing study of more than 10,000 children across the country.
Designed to assess brain development and child health, the countrywide Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study has been following children for the last decade, starting from ages nine to 10 into early adulthood.
The age at which kids got a phone in this cohort ranged from four to 13, with a median age of 11.
“We’re not advocating for people to go back to the Stone Age. We know that eventually, almost every teen will get their smartphone,” said Barzilay, the study’s lead author.
Smartphone ownership high among US children
Smartphone ownership is high among US children and teens. Nearly 60 per cent of parents of an 11- or 12-year-old said their child owned one in a 2025 Pew Research Centre survey.
By comparison, 29pc of kids ages 8 to 10 and 12pc of 5- to 7-year-olds had smartphones, the survey found.
Concerns about the impact of mobile devices arise as rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety have increased among US youth over the past decade.
Although screens are likely not the only factor, many studies have linked excessive use to worse mental health. Nevertheless, smartphones do offer clear benefits, providing a vital tool for social connection and giving parents a reliable way to ensure their children’s safety.
“We’re not saying smartphones are bad, but we’re not saying they’re good,” Barzilay said.
To him, the takeaway is that parents should consider how giving a child a smartphone could impact their kid’s health.
“Make sure that it doesn’t consume all of their life,” Barzilay advised.
If parents give their child a smartphone, they should check in regularly to see how it impacts the child’s lifestyle. Screen time shouldn’t come at the expense of sleep, physical activity, or quality time with friends and family.
Barzilay also advised having the child keep their smartphone out of their bedroom at night and having tech-free family time, such as during dinner.
