Getting a Smartphone Too Young Linked to Lasting Mental Health Harm

Receiving a smartphone before age 13 is strongly linked to poorer mental health in young adulthood, including higher rates of suicidal thoughts, aggression, and detachment from reality Early smartphone ownership often leads to earlier social media access, which raises the risk of cyberbullying, harmful content exposure, poor family relationships, and disrupted sleep The most severe effects are seen in females, with nearly half of those given a phone at age 5 or 6 reporting severe suicidal thoughts compared to less than a third who received one at age 13 English-speaking countries face greater risks due to earlier average ages of phone and social media access and more exposure to harmful, exploitative online content Delaying smartphone and social media access, teaching digital literacy before use, and setting phone-free times significantly improve emotional resilience and self-worth over the long term