Research Investigates Possible Health Hazards of Early Smartphone Usage Among Children
As smartphones became increasingly widespread, one persistent question has been regarding their influence on parenting and the appropriate age to provide a child with their first smartphone. Some parents opt to delay this decision until their children are older teens, while others are comfortable handing over a phone at an earlier stage.
Both approaches present possible advantages, but they also involve certain risks, as a recent [New York Times article highlights](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/well/family/early-smartphone-ownership-study.html). The piece references a study indicating that children below a particular age may face a heightened risk of specific adverse health impacts, which could cause hesitation for some parents when contemplating giving their children their first smartphones.
However, we are eager to hear your perspective! Regardless of whether you’re a parent, when do you believe it is appropriate to provide a child with their first smartphone? Share your opinions in the comments below!
### What does the study reveal?
The research, published in the [journal Pediatrics](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/doi/10.1542/peds.2025-072941/205716/Smartphone-Ownership-Age-of-Smartphone-Acquisition?redirectedFrom=fulltext?autologincheck=redirected), examined data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which included over 10,000 participants in the U.S. starting at age 10.
Researchers inquired if the children owned a smartphone and assessed how this exposure impacted the children across three critical health dimensions. They discovered that early exposure correlated with negative effects universally.
“Smartphone ownership during early adolescence is linked to poorer health outcomes in adolescents, including depression, obesity, and sleep deficiency, regardless of socioeconomic and parental variables,” stated lead author Ran Barzilay, MD, PhD.
The study indicated that among the more than 10,000 participants, over 60% had a smartphone by age 12 (more than 4,000 with an iPhone compared to over 2,000 with an [Android phone](https://www.androidcentral.com/best-cheap-android-phones)). However, the evidence suggested that the sooner a child acquired a smartphone, the poorer the outcomes were based on the key metrics (depression, obesity, sleep efficiency) evaluated.
Moreover, researchers noted similar repercussions for the over 3,000 participants who did not possess a smartphone by age 12. A year later, half of the participants who got a phone by age 13 exhibited worse outcomes than those who did not.
### What steps can parents take?
Parents may have various reasons for deciding to give their children smartphones at younger ages, as it offers them peace of mind knowing they can reach their child in case of emergencies. This is particularly relevant for latchkey children, or kids who frequently look after themselves unsupervised after school while their parents are still at work.
Nevertheless, there are methods parents can use to ease their worries regarding their children’s smartphone use. Numerous [smartphones for kids](https://www.androidcentral.com/best-phone-kids) come equipped with built-in safety features, and with parental controls accessible in many smartphones through tools like [Family Link](https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/google-gives-family-link-a-new-look-and-plans-new-supervision-tools) and [Find Hub](https://www.androidcentral.com/find-my-device), parents can track their children’s locations to confirm they are where they should be.
In addition, parents can oversee their kids’ smartphone usage by limiting and approving app downloads, filtering Google Search results, establishing screen time limits, and more. Furthermore, applications like [Instagram](https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/meta/instagrams-ai-now-detects-and-protects-teens-even-if-their-profile-says-theyre-adults) feature built-in age restrictions and content limitations that parents concerned about social media access can implement.
That said, some parents might find these precautions inadequate and decide to postpone providing their children with a smartphone. In such cases, alternatives exist, such as a [shared family tablet](https://www.androidcentral.com/best-tablets-kids) or even
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