Kids Who Get Smartphones Before 13 May Face Mental Health Crisis Like Suicidal Thoughts In Young Adulthood: Study

Getting a smartphone before age 13 seriously messes with your mental health later in life, according to a new study conducted on 100,000+ young adults. The research, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, found that 18- to 24-year-olds who got their first phone at 12 or younger were way more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, aggression, emotional problems, and low self-worth.

The culprit? Early access to social media through smartphones, which researchers say increases risks of cyberbullying, sleep disruption, and damaged family relationships. “Our data indicates that early smartphone ownership — and the social media access it often brings — is linked with a profound shift in mental health and well-being in early adulthood,” said lead author Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, founder of Sapien Labs.

The study used a mental health assessment tool called the Mind Health Quotient to measure social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Results showed that the younger kids were when they got their first smartphone, the worse their mental health scores became as adults. Girls were hit particularly hard, experiencing more suicidal thoughts and reality detachment issues.

Researchers are calling for urgent policy changes, comparing smartphone restrictions to alcohol and tobacco regulations for minors. “Our evidence suggests that childhood smartphone ownership, an early gateway into AI-powered digital environments, is profoundly diminishing mental health and well-being in adulthood,” Thiagarajan warned.

Several countries including France, Netherlands, and Italy have already banned or restricted phone use in schools, with some US states following suit.

Will India follow suit?

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