Smartphone usage leading to increased mental health issues among children
A new global study by Sapiens Labs, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, has revealed a significant link between smartphone usage among children under the age of 13 and increased risks of mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, and detachment from reality.
The study, led by Tara Thiagarajan, found that the earlier a child begins using a smartphone, the worse their mental health becomes. This finding is particularly concerning, as it suggests that the vulnerability of young people in their developmental phase and lack of world experience may make them more at risk in the online environment.
The study surveyed 100,000 young people aged 18 to 24, and while it did not provide information on the mental health of children aged 13 to 18 who use smartphones, it did show that all children under 13 who use smartphones frequently reported sleep disturbances, cyberbullying, and negative family relationships.
Girls were found to be particularly affected by the negative impacts of smartphone usage, with 9.5% of girls surveyed reporting mental health problems compared to 7% of boys. The mental health score of a child who received a phone at the age of 13 was 30, while those who got a phone at the age of 5 scored only 1.
In response to these findings, Thiagarajan advocates for regulating smartphone usage for children under 13, similar to alcohol and tobacco, and imposing restrictions on social media platforms. She believes that such measures are necessary to protect children's mental health.
This call for action is echoed around the world, with a growing trend towards limiting smartphone and social media access for children under 13. In Australia, a social media ban for children and adolescents under 16 was enacted in November 2024, while several European countries, including France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Luxembourg, have implemented restrictions on social media usage by minors.
Other countries, such as Denmark and Portugal, are currently considering similar restrictions, and in the United States, influential figures like social psychologist Jonathan Haidt propose norms restricting smartphone ownership before high school, banning social media before age 16, and creating phone-free schools to alleviate mental health risks.
In addition to these national efforts, the EU's Digital Services Act, Audiovisual Media Services Directive, and General Data Protection Regulation include provisions to shield children from harmful online content and protect personal data. EU lawmakers recently voted to criminalize AI-generated child abuse images, online grooming, sextortion, and related offenses, reinforcing protections for minors in digital spaces.
The Stop the Scroll Act has also been introduced in the U.S. Senate to require mental health warnings on social media platforms. However, these measures vary in scope and enforcement by country, and ongoing research continues to inform policy development.
In conclusion, the global trend towards restricting smartphone and social media access for children under 13 is driven by mental health concerns and aims to protect children from the potential negative impacts of these technologies. While the specifics of these measures vary by country, the growing consensus is clear: the well-being of our children must be prioritized in the digital age.
What about the impact of smartphone usage on the mental health of children aged 13 and under, who were not included in the study mentioned earlier? The findings from Sapiens Labs suggest that similar consequences, such as sleep disturbances, cyberbullying, and negative family relationships, may also apply to this age group, as the mental health score of a child who received a phone at the age of 13 was significantly lower than those who got a phone at a later age. Science indicates that early smartphone usage could lead to worsened mental health in children, thus supporting the call for regulation and restriction on smartphone and social media access for this vulnerable age group.
