Getting a Smartphone Too Young Linked to Lasting Mental Health Harm
- Receiving a smartphone before age 13 is strongly linked to poorer mental health in young adulthood, including higher rates of suicidal thoughts, aggression, and detachment from reality
- Early smartphone ownership often leads to earlier social media access, which raises the risk of cyberbullying, harmful content exposure, poor family relationships, and disrupted sleep
- The most severe effects are seen in females, with nearly half of those given a phone at age 5 or 6 reporting severe suicidal thoughts compared to less than a third who received one at age 13
- English-speaking countries face greater risks due to earlier average ages of phone and social media access and more exposure to harmful, exploitative online content
- Delaying smartphone and social media access, teaching digital literacy before use, and setting phone-free times significantly improve emotional resilience and self-worth over the long term
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