US EditionKids who have smartphones by age 12 have higher risk of depression, obesity: Study
A U.S. study of over 10,000 preteens shows earlier smartphone ownership correlates with increased depression, obesity, and sleep issues, with risks rising the younger the age of first phone.
- Analysis of ABCD data from more than 10,000 U.S. adolescents shows early phone ownership is associated with higher rates of depression, obesity and insufficient sleep.
- In recent years, rising smartphone access and concern over screen time spurred this research as 63.6% of Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study participants owned a smartphone by age 11.
- The researchers reported that at age 12, nearly 6.5 of those with phones had depression versus 4.5, with odds ratios of 1.31 for depression, 1.40 for obesity, and 1.62 for insufficient sleep.
- Ran Barzilay urged caregivers to set guidelines and monitor content, saying `Most probably, all teens will eventually have a smartphone`, to reduce risks for youth with phones.
- Researchers caution that the findings are associative and further study is needed, noting the study shows only association not causation and plans to study children younger than age 10 and smartphone features.
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89 Articles
Children Given Smartphones By Age 12 Have Greater Risk Of Depression And Obesity, Study Finds
A newly published study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that children who were given smartphones before the age of 12 were at a greater risk of developing future issues, including depression, obesity, poor sleep, and more. Researchers noted that the earlier the study participants were given the devices, the more likely they were to develop the adverse effects. Lead study author Dr. Ran Barzilay told ABC News that his motivations for …
It is shown that in infants and children up to 24 months of age, the use of electronic devices involves a number of problems in language development, insomnia and even dependence.
Early Smartphone Use Associated With Sleep Problems and Mental Health Issues in Preteens
Twelve-year-olds who owned smartphones had higher odds of depression, obesity, and sleep problems compared to peers without smartphones, according to a study published December 1, 2025, in the journal Pediatrics. Researchers analyzed data from 10,588 children and adolescents across 21 sites between 2016 and 2022. The participants were part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, funded by the National Institutes of Health. The resea…
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