Study Warns About Giving Kids Smartphones Too Early

A new study is raising concerns about how early children should get their first smartphone. Researchers found that giving a child a smartphone before age 13 may be linked to higher risks of depression, poor sleep, and obesity during early teenage years.

The study followed more than 10,000 children across the United States and looked at how smartphone ownership affected health at ages 12 and 13. Children who already had smartphones at 12 were more likely to struggle with low mood, not getting enough sleep, and weight-related health problems compared to those without phones.

Researchers also found that the younger a child was when they got their first phone, the stronger some of these risks appeared to be. Even children who received a smartphone between ages 12 and 13 showed higher chances of emotional struggles and sleep problems compared to those who still did not have one.

Experts say this does not mean every phone causes harm, but it does show that timing matters. Lead researcher Dr. Ran Barzilay said parents should not ignore the findings and should think carefully before giving younger children full smartphone access.

The study comes as countries like Australia have introduced stronger rules for social media use among teens, including limits for users under 16. The main message for parents is simple: delaying smartphone use may help protect children’s mental health and daily well-being.