A study published in Pediatrics investigated how early smartphone access influences depression, obesity, and sleep disruption in adolescents. The researchers set out to understand whether owning a smartphone at a younger age places a child on a different health trajectory than peers who don’t have these devices. They analyzed data from 10,588 children in early adolescence, an age defined by rapid emotional growth and heightened sensitivity to social feedback. The findings showed higher
odds of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep among those who owned a smartphone at age 12 compared to those who did not.1
A related study published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities evaluated how childhood smartphone ownership influences emotional stability and psychological wellbeing in young adulthood. The researchers used data from the Global Mind Project, a worldwide mental health database, to determine whether the age a child receives a smartphone shifts measurable outcomes years later. The study population included 18- to 24-year-olds across multiple global regions, offering a broad view of how early smartphone exposure aligns with later emotional outcomes.2
Early phone ownership predicts deeper emotional struggles in young adulthood — Individuals who received a smartphone before age 13 experienced more suicidal
thoughts, lower emotional resilience, and weaker self-worth as young adults. Girls reported the greatest emotional strain, while boys showed increased instability and reduced empathy compared to peers who received smartphones later.