Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Experts Warn of Health Risks from Early Smartphone Use
Experts are advising parents to wait until their children are at least 13 years old before giving them a smartphone.
New research shows that kids who get smartphones earlier may have more problems like feeling sad, having trouble with their emotions, and feeling less confident.
Girls might feel less sure of themselves, while boys might have a harder time staying calm and understanding others' feelings.
The younger a child is when they get their first phone, the more these problems can affect them.
So, it's a good idea to wait a bit longer before giving your child a smartphone.
Research shows that young adults who got smartphones before age 13 have higher rates of suicidal thoughts, emotional instability, and low self-worth.
The younger the age at first smartphone use, the worse the mental health outcomes.
Females reported lower emotional resilience, confidence, and self-esteem, while males reported reduced calmness, empathy, and emotional stability.
Children who got a phone at age 5-6 had significantly lower Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) scores.
Experts recommend delaying smartphone use until at least age 13 to mitigate these health risks.
- Who
- Parents and young adults who received smartphones before age 13
- What
- Health risks associated with early smartphone use
- When
- Research findings indicate long-term mental health impacts
- Where
- Not specified, but likely applicable globally
- Why
- To raise awareness about the potential mental health risks of early smartphone use
- Age of First Smartphone
- Before 13
- Health Risks
- Suicidal thoughts, detachment, emotional instability, aggression, low self-worth
- Gender Differences
- Females: lower emotional resilience, confidence, self-esteem; Males: reduced calmness, empathy, emotional stability
- Mind Health Quotient (MHQ)
- Lower scores for those who got a phone at age 5-6
- Expert Recommendation
- Delay giving smartphones to children until at least age 13