Study Warns Early Smartphone Use May Harm Kids’ Mental Health

As families gear up for back-to-school shopping, one of the big questions on parents’ minds is whether or not to buy their child a smartphone. A new study is shedding light on the potential risks for younger users.

Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, says parents should delay introducing smartphones and social media to children as long as possible. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, children who begin using smartphones before age 13 show a decline in mental health and overall well-being.

The study, based on self-reported data, indicates that kids between the ages of 10 and 14 are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of smartphones. Haidt warns that these years are critical for brain development, especially for girls, and that early exposure to online culture can lead to long-term issues.

However, technology companies are adding new tools to help families manage smartphone use. Apple encourages parents to create an account with their child’s age when setting up a phone, enabling built-in privacy protections. Additional tools like Screen Time help monitor app usage, while the Find My app lets parents track a child’s location and receive alerts when they leave school. Features like communication safety can even detect explicit content and provide warnings.

Google also offers Family Link, a parental control system compatible with both iPhones and Android devices, allowing parents to manage screen time and monitor app use.

Experts agree that while parental tools can help, the most effective step is delaying smartphone use until kids are older.

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