Your kids might be hounding you for the latest iPhone. But before you trod off to your local Apple store, there’s something you should read first. A new study has revealed that children using smartphones before the age of 13 are at serious risk. They could develop long-term mental health issues that could have a ripple effect across their adult years.
The research, which was published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, warned about screen time. It was associated with impaired emotional regulation, lower sense of self-esteem, detachment from reality, and suicidal thoughts. The culprits? It’s posited that these younger phone users were more likely to access social media, experience cyberbullying, and endure sleep disruptions.
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This study comes on the heels of previous research. These studies have shown that social media usage and increased screen time can cause anxiety. It can also lead to depression among adults. While the authors of this study aren’t calling on parents to confiscate these devices, they have urged parents to limit access for their kids.
The Study: Screen Time and Bad Vibes
As part of the study, a group of 100 000 young adults were surveyed. They were asked about their mental health and smartphone usage during their formative years. Overall, those who were handed phones at an earlier age were more likely to report experiencing feelings of detachment, aggression, suicidal thoughts, and hallucinations.
While both men and women reported early smartphone usage, the impact differed. Usage was associated with feelings of low self-worth. However, women tended to be more likely to experience lower emotional resilience and low confidence. Men said they felt unstable, less empathetic, and struggled to remain calm.
The Fix: Limited Access and Vigilant Monitoring
The authors prescription? Wait until your kids are at least 14 before handing out the smartphones. “Ideally, children should not have a smartphone until age 14. When they do get a smartphone, parents should take time to discuss how to interact on the Internet. It’s important to explain the consequences of doing various things,” the study’s lead author told ABC News.
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But educating your kids on “smarter” smartphone usage is no simple task. After all, this is relatively new tech. As adults, we are still trying to figure out how to have a healthy relationship with this always-on, always-with-us device. Here are a few tips to help ensure your kids’ screen time isn’t setting them up for a bad time down the line:
- Set clear rules early: Establish age-appropriate limits and expectations before giving them a phone.
- Explain the “why”: Talk openly about how screen time affects sleep, focus, mood and mental health.
- Model healthy habits: Show good digital discipline yourself (no phones at dinner, no doomscrolling in bed).
- Discuss privacy & safety: Teach them not to share personal info and how to spot red flags (like scams or strangers).
- Use screen time tools: Set up parental controls (like those found on iPhones). Establish time limits through built-in phone settings or apps.
- Talk content critically: Ask what they’re watching or playing and encourage media literacy (“Why do you think they posted that?”).
Reassess Your Own Smartphone Usage
Modelling healthy habits requires a fair degree of introspection. After all, we went from having no smartphones to a digital revolution swiftly. Chances are, as an adult, you’re engaging with your device in plenty of unhealthy ways.
Besides the abundance of studies showing smartphone dangers, excessive usage can cause stress and anxiety. New research reveals even more. One of the most popular forms of online content is short-form videos. These include videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. This could be rewiring your brain.
In a study published in the journal NeuroImage, researchers found significant similarities. Short-form video addiction and other addictive behaviors, such as drug use and gambling, were linked. In other words, individuals in both camps tended to opt for immediate rewards. They did this over considering the long-term ramifications.
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Ultimately, researchers warn that endless doomscrolling can be harmful. Searching for your next “high” (that next video) could supercharge your dopamine levels. This behavior could hinder your ability to assess risk and make rational decisions. Especially when it comes to your financial situation.
How to Get Smarter About Your Smartphone Usage
One of the best ways to curb your addiction to bite-sized content is to use built-in features. On your phone, use options like Screen Time on Apple devices. Set a strict time limit on how much time you can spend on a certain app.
Here are three more ways to regulate your time staring into the abyss:
- Create Phone-Free Zones: Make specific times and spaces phone-free—like meals, bedrooms, or during workouts.
- Schedule Tech Breaks: Encourage (and model) regular offline time an hour unplugged after school, during family activities or before bed.
- Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications: Disable alerts from social media, games and other non-urgent apps to reduce distractions and mindless checking.
