A massive study just confirmed it — giving kids smartphones before 13 can have serious mental health consequences.
A new study has found a disturbing link between early smartphone use and long-term mental health issues.
Published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, the research from neuroscience firm Sapien Labs analyzed data from more than 100,000 young adults. The results? Those who received smartphones before age 13 were significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, aggression, and even hallucinations later in life. The study’s lead author, Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, says this evidence underscores that children’s brains aren’t ready for the pressures of social media and digital exposure before their teenage years.
Girls in the study reported lower self-worth and emotional resilience, while boys showed reduced empathy and emotional stability compared to peers who got phones later. Thiagarajan and her team are urging parents and policymakers to take immediate action—comparing smartphone restrictions for kids under 13 to the same caution we apply to alcohol or tobacco. With mounting evidence and rising concern from experts, this research adds weight to a growing global movement: protecting kids’ mental health means waiting a little longer before handing them that first phone.
Source:
Al-Sibai, Noor. “A New Paper Just Found Something Horrifying About Kids Who Get Phones Early in Life.” Futurism, 2 Aug. 2025
