Kids using smartphones before 13? Study warns of alarming long-term mental health issues

Kids left at home with a nanny while parents are out hustling at their jobs? Give them a smartphone. Pre-teen daughter going for a sleepover for the first time? Give her a smartphone. No playdate for the kid as the parents are busy elsewhere? Give him a smartphone. Need help with school homework and science projects? Give the kids a smartphone.

In today’s hyper-connected world — driven by digital technologies and electronic gadgets — it may seem almost natural for children to carry smartphones at ever younger ages. In an age where children navigate digital worlds almost as naturally as playgrounds, it’s no biggie for them to have smartphones as their constant companions.
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However, maybe it’s time to slow down and hit a pause on that habit.

A new global study raises serious concerns: children who receive their first smartphone before the age of 13 may face significant long-term mental-health risks by early adulthood. The research, analyzing more than 100,000 young adults from multi-country surveys, links early smartphone access to higher rates of suicidal thoughts, aggression, low self-worth, and emotional instability.


What does the research say

In a sweeping international investigation published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, researchers analyzed data from more than 100,000 young adults aged 18-24 to explore how early smartphone ownership impacts mental well-being. The standout finding: those who received their first smartphone at age 12 or younger reported markedly worse “mind-health” outcomes than peers who gained access later.


What are the other important findings?

The study concluded that young adults who got a smartphone before age 13 were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, low self-worth, poorer emotional regulation, detachment from reality, and aggressive behavior. Not just that, as per the study’s findings, the earlier the age of first smartphone ownership, the worse the average “Mind Health Quotient” (MHQ) score. For example, individuals with phones at age 13 averaged a score of 30, while those who had one at age 5 averaged just 1.

The relationships held true across different regions and cultures, suggesting a broad developmental signal rather than a purely social-context effect.


Why is the ‘under-13’ threshold significant?

Adolescence, especially the early years around age 10-13, is a critical time for brain development, identity formation, and social skill building. Introducing smartphones and richly immersive digital environments during this sensitive phase may override real-world interpersonal experiences and coping mechanisms. The study suggests that the younger the exposure, the greater the developmental risk. In fact, researchers suggest that handing a smartphone to a child before age 13 may interrupt this trajectory by exposing them too early to several harrowing aspects, like:

Social media environments with comparison and pressure

Opportunities for cyber-bullying, harassment, or harmful content

Disrupted sleep from late-night screen use or device overuse

Reduced offline social interaction and weaker family relationships



Gender differences and social media

There’s more than just the age bracket when it comes to the ill effects of using smartphones too much, too early. The study observed that females who gained smartphones early were particularly at risk: up to 48% of girls aged 18-24 who received a device at age 5-6 reported suicidal thoughts, compared to 28% of girls who received one at age 13. For boys, the figures were 31% versus 20% respectively. Early social-media access explained approximately 40% of the link between early smartphone ownership and poor mental health. Other contributing factors included poor family relationships (13%), disrupted sleep (12%), and cyberbullying (10%).


What should parents and educators do

While it’s important to note the study is observational and correlational, not proof that smartphones cause mental-health issues, the results highlight an urgent signal for further longitudinal work. Some underlying vulnerabilities (social, familial, or individual) may make children both more likely to receive devices early and more likely to struggle later. However, as researchers call for deeper studies into how digital environments shape development and how to identify and support at-risk children, both parents and schools play a vital role in protecting children.


For parents, here are some guidelines:

Delay smartphone ownership: Consider waiting until age 13 or older before assigning a personal smartphone. The research suggests delaying may improve long-term outcomes.

Set clear rules and boundaries: When a smartphone is introduced, impose limits on screen time, social media use, and overnight access.

Educate about online safety and behavior: Discuss with children how to engage online, what content to avoid, how to respond to cyberbullying, and the importance of offline connections.

Promote offline activities: Encourage face-to-face interaction, physical play, hobbies, and adequate sleep — all vital for emotional resilience.

Model healthy phone use: Children learn from their parents’ behavior. Limiting your own smartphone usage and being present helps set the tone.

For educators and schools, some tips include:

Implement smartphone and social-media policies: Schools can enforce phone-free times or zones, promote digital-wellness programs, and educate students on healthy online behavior.

Teach digital literacy: Integrate lessons on online safety, self-regulation, critical media consumption, and emotional impacts of social media.

Promote non-screen-based social and learning activities: Ensure children have ample opportunities for in-person socialization, collaborative learning, and unstructured play.

Support emotional and mental-health education: Provide resources and safe spaces for students to discuss online stress, cyberbullying, peer pressure, and screen-related anxiety.