Children who are given smartphones before the age of 13 are significantly more likely to face mental health struggles as they reach early adulthood, according to a major international study involving over 100,000 participants. The research, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, found that young people aged between 18 and 24 who received their first smartphone before turning 13 reported a range of psychological issues, including suicidal ideation, heightened aggression, emotional instability, feelings of detachment from reality, and a lower sense of self-worth.
The study used data from the Global Mind Project and analyzed mental health trends using the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), a diagnostic tool that assesses emotional, cognitive, physical, and social well-being. The findings revealed a consistent pattern: the earlier the smartphone was introduced in a child’s life, the more negative the impact on their mental health score as an adult. Those who received smartphones as early as age five showed some of the lowest scores, while those who waited until at least 13 showed better emotional resilience and mental well-being.
According to lead author Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, a neuroscientist and Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs, early access to smartphones often equates to premature exposure to social media, which can increase vulnerability to online bullying, disrupted sleep, and declining interpersonal relationships. She emphasized that the mental health symptoms associated with early phone use often do not align with traditional diagnoses like anxiety or depression and may go unnoticed by conventional mental health screenings. Dr. Thiagarajan urged for immediate and decisive action to safeguard younger generations, proposing a proactive regulatory approach similar to those applied to substances like alcohol and tobacco.
The researchers suggested that governments and institutions consider restricting smartphone access for children under 13, while also promoting digital literacy and enforcing greater accountability from tech companies. Countries such as France, New Zealand, Italy, and the Netherlands have already introduced policies to limit mobile phone use in schools, and similar measures have been enacted in several US states.
In addition to lower MHQ scores, the study found that early smartphone ownership correlates with reduced self-confidence and empathy, particularly among males, and weakened emotional resilience and self-image among females. These findings highlight a growing concern over the developmental risks associated with modern digital technologies when introduced too early in life.
The researchers concluded that while smartphones offer connectivity and convenience, their unregulated use in childhood may come at a steep cost to mental health—costs that manifest more clearly as young people transition into adulthood.