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New research shows a strong link between young children owning smartphones and facing higher risks of emotional struggles, health issues, and sleep problems. Despite these findings, experts do not suggest that families should avoid phones entirely. Instead, they believe families must learn to manage phone use effectively to protect children's health and well-being.
"You need to keep track of how you use it and how it may relate to your health," says Dr. Ran Barzilay. Dr. Barzilay leads this new study and works as a child development psychologist. He is based at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. His research team examined data from a large, long-term project known as the ABCD study. This project stands for Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development. The project has followed more than 10,000 children since they were nine or ten years old. Researchers collect information from these children at 21 different locations across the United States.
In the group studied by Dr. Barzilay's team, nearly two-thirds of the 10,588 children already owned a smartphone by the time they turned twelve. Among the children who had phones, 5.7 percent had received a diagnosis of depression. This was true for only 4.5 percent of kids who did not have phones at that age. Depression often involves feelings of deep sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest in daily life. Without proper treatment, depression can become a serious health problem for a growing child.
The study also looked at body weight using a measurement called BMI, which stands for Body Mass Index. On average, twelve-year-olds with smartphones had a higher BMI than those without phones. Close to 16 percent of phone owners at age twelve fell into the obesity range. This compares to fewer than 12 percent of their peers who did not have smartphones. Carrying extra weight increases the risk of health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems that can persist into adulthood.
Furthermore, kids with a smartphone by age twelve were more likely to get less sleep. They got, on average, nearly 17 fewer minutes of sleep each night. While that might not seem like a large difference at first, many teenagers already do not get the recommended amount of sleep. Sleep is essential for good physical growth and mental health. The data also showed that for every year before age twelve that a child got a smartphone, they were even more likely to be overweight and sleep too little. This creates a compounding negative effect over time.
The research included another interesting group: children who did not have phones at age twelve but got one by age thirteen. Compared to children who still did not have a smartphone, these new phone owners had a 50 percent higher chance of getting insufficient sleep. They were also more likely to report having a mental health problem. Dr. Barzilay's team published its findings in the medical journal Pediatrics in January.
However, not all research points in the same direction. Dr. Xiaoran Sun, a psychologist at the University of Minnesota, led a different study. Her team collected health and smartphone data for 263 children from low-income Latinx families over a period of five years. "We didn't see significant links between when kids got smartphones and their grades, sleep, or depression symptoms," Dr. Sun notes. Her team published its work three years ago in the journal Child Development.
Why do these studies have different results? Dr. Sun explains that her team and Dr. Barzilay's team approached the question in different ways. This included not only the size of the groups they studied but also where and how they collected their data. Most importantly, both studies looked at correlations, which are connections between events. "We can't say smartphones actually cause these things," Dr. Sun emphasizes, referring to the health risks found in the new study.
The findings from Dr. Sun's group suggest that how children use their smartphones may be more important than when they first get one. Understanding that relationship is now a focus of her ongoing research.
Data from the Pew Research Center shows that almost every child in the United States will get a smartphone at some point. The key is to be thoughtful about the decision and to prepare early.
"Try and make this a very mindful move," Dr. Sun advises. She suggests talking with parents about it before getting a phone. Plan how you will manage its use. Discuss setting limits on screen time and decide on places and times where the phone will be put away, like during meals or homework time. This planning helps ensure the device serves the child rather than controlling them.
Dr. Barzilay offers specific tips for after you get a phone. "Keep it out of the bedroom at night," he says. This simple step limits the temptation to stay up late looking at the screen. It also prevents the phone from disturbing your sleep if you wake up during the night. A quiet night allows the brain to rest and recharge properly.
More broadly, Dr. Barzilay urges everyone to focus on their overall health. Since the new study shows a link to higher weight risks, he suggests building more exercise into your daily life. Also, make getting a good night's sleep a real priority. Physical activity and rest work together to support a healthy body and mind.
Similarly, pay attention to your mental well-being. Look for healthy ways to improve your mood. Smartphones can help you stay connected with people, but Dr. Barzilay says it is also important to focus on your real-life connections with friends and family. Face-to-face interactions build stronger social skills than online contact alone.
"Think of learning how to live with a smartphone as a process," Dr. Barzilay concludes. "And think how it affects you. You need to know what's good for you and what is bad." This mindset helps children develop self-awareness and responsibility.
The debate continues as families navigate the digital world. Some studies point to risks associated with early access, while others highlight the importance of usage patterns and family context. Experts agree that open communication and clear boundaries are vital. Parents are encouraged to model healthy habits and discuss expectations openly with their children. By working together, families can help children use technology in ways that support, rather than harm, their growth and development. The goal is to integrate technology as a tool for learning and connection, not a source of stress or isolation.