Early smartphone ownership linked to higher health risks in kids

Technology Dec 22, 2025

A new study shows that kids who get smartphones before age 12 face higher chances of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep.
Researchers tracked over 10,000 US children aged 9-16 and found these risks were noticeably higher for early phone owners.

The younger the phone, the bigger the risk

Kids with a smartphone by 12 were up to 1.6 times more likely to struggle with sleep and had increased risks for depression and obesity compared to those without phones.
The earlier a child got a phone—even as young as four—the greater the health risks became each year.

What experts recommend

Lead researcher Dr. Ran Barzilay suggests holding off on giving kids their own smartphones, keeping an eye on how they use them, and making bedrooms phone-free zones to help protect their well-being.