Early Smartphone ownership Linked to Poorer Health Outcomes in youth
Recent research suggests a concerning correlation between early smartphone access and negative health outcomes in children. A study led by Barzilay indicates that simply having a smartphone during childhood, regardless of usage, is associated with increased risks to mental and physical well-being.
The research found that children who received their first smartphone before age 12, and afterward continued to use it, demonstrated a higher likelihood of experiencing poorer mental health and disrupted sleep patterns by age 13 compared to peers who did not have smartphones. Notably, even children who received a smartphone after turning 12 showed increased risk compared to those who remained phoneless.
“We didn’t even look at what the kids did on the phone,” Barzilay told CBS News.”We basically asked one simple question: does the mere factor of having one’s own smartphone at this age range have anything to do with health outcomes?”
While the study focused on the presence of the device itself, researchers acknowledge the role of apps and online platforms accessible through smartphones. Social media, streaming services like Netflix, and addictive mobile games are all potential contributors to these negative outcomes. The rise of AI chatbots, with children increasingly turning to them for companionship, also presents a new area of concern.
These findings align with a 2025 study of over 100,000 children, which revealed that those receiving smartphones before age 13 experienced more suicidal thoughts, a lower perception of self-worth, and detachment from reality. The study further demonstrated that each year a child received a smartphone before age 13 correlated with a greater likelihood of poorer mental health and overall well-being.
In response to these concerns, many schools are implementing policies to ban smartphones entirely. Barzilay’s future research will focus on exploring specific smartphone features and their connection to mental health outcomes.
“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,” Barzilay stated in a press release from the Children‘s Hospital of Philadelphia.
