Study Warns: Giving Smartphones to Children Under 12 Harms Mental and Physical Health

As smartphones become increasingly common among children, including those under 12, a recent study has highlighted the potential adverse effects of early smartphone use on both physical and mental health.

Ran Barzilay, an American researcher and psychiatry professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that he would not give a smartphone to his children until they reach 12 years old, following preliminary findings from his study on screen time's impact on adolescent health.

* Early Smartphone Use and Health Risks

Barzilay's analysis involved over 10,500 children across 21 locations in the United States. It revealed that children who received smartphones at 12 years old were 60% more likely to experience sleep issues and 40% more likely to suffer from obesity compared to those who received phones at 13.

Barzilay emphasized: "This cannot be ignored," pointing out previous studies that have shown the negative impact of smartphones on concentration, memory, and mental health among adolescents.

* Smartphone Addiction and Psychological Risks

A significant study published in the JAMA journal found that addictive smartphone use among adolescents is linked to a two- to threefold increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to those with low usage.

Furthermore, the study highlighted that the type of electronic activity influences the associated risks:

• Children who spend excessive time on video games are at higher risk for anxiety and depression.

• Children who frequently use social media may exhibit deviant behaviors such as aggression and rule-breaking.

Junio Xiao, a public health professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, commented:

"Certain groups are more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts and behaviors linked to electronic platforms, and further research is needed to understand the underlying causes."

* Social Media's Impact on Learning and Focus

Another study indicated that children aged 9 to 13 who heavily engage with social media perform worse in tasks such as:

• oral reading

• memory of image sequences

• vocabulary tests

Researcher Jason Nagata from the University of California noted that these differences could equate to a drop in a student's grade from an A to a B, suggesting that social media may displace more educational activities.

* Future Outlook for 2025

By the second half of 2025, several studies have confirmed that early access to smartphones and extensive screen time negatively affects:

• cognitive performance (slower processing speed, reduced attention, weakened memory)

• mental health (increased rates of depression and anxiety)

• sleep quality

* Conclusion:

Smartphones before the age of 12 are not merely a source of entertainment; they pose a significant threat to children's physical, mental, and cognitive health.