Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Smartphone Ownership at 12 Linked to Later Eating Disorder Symptoms
Researchers studied almost 9,000 children in the United States.
They wanted to know whether having a smartphone at age 12 was linked to eating-related problems at age 14.
Children with smartphones reported these symptoms more often than children without them.
These symptoms included binge eating, unhealthy efforts to avoid gaining weight and tying self-worth to body weight.
About 24.2% of smartphone owners reported at least one symptom, compared with 15.5% of non-owners.
Smartphones may expose children to social media about dieting, exercise and appearance.
Puberty can also make children more sensitive to how their bodies look.
The study does not prove that smartphones caused the symptoms.
Parents can set boundaries, discuss online content and watch for changes in eating or body-image concerns.
A study of 8,957 United States adolescents examined smartphone ownership at age 12 and eating disorder symptoms at ages 12 and 14.
Nearly 70% of participants owned a smartphone at age 12.
By age 14, smartphone ownership was linked to a 67% higher risk of binge-eating symptoms and a 50% higher chance of inappropriate compensatory behaviors.
Smartphone owners were about twice as likely to connect their self-worth with their weight and had a 49% higher risk of reporting at least one symptom.
Researchers said the observational study shows an association, not proof that smartphones cause eating disorders.
- Who
- Researchers studying 8,957 United States adolescents and the adolescents included in the analysis.
- What
- The study found that smartphone ownership at age 12 was associated with a higher likelihood of eating disorder symptoms by age 14.
- When
- Smartphone ownership was assessed at age 12, with symptoms examined at ages 12 and 14.
- Where
- The participants were from the United States.
- Why
- Researchers suggested that smartphones may provide continuous access to social media and content focused on appearance, dieting and exercise, while cautioning that other factors may also explain the association.
- Study size
- 8,957 adolescents
- Smartphone ownership
- Nearly 70% owned a smartphone at age 12
- At least one symptom
- 24.2% of smartphone owners versus 15.5% of non-owners at age 14
- Binge-eating symptoms
- Associated with a 67% higher risk
- Compensatory behaviors
- Associated with a 50% higher chance
- Weight-related self-worth
- Smartphone owners were about twice as likely to report this connection
- Study limitation
- The observational design cannot prove that smartphone ownership caused eating disorder symptoms