Smartphones at Young Ages Linked to Sleep, Mood and Health Risks in Children | News

GREENVILLE, Miss. — Many parents agree that too much screen time — especially at an early age — can negatively impact children’s health and development.

Amanda Delperdang says she prefers her children spend more time outdoors but understands there can be a place for screens when used intentionally.

“If you’re using it for learning, I think it’s fine from a younger age as long as you’re monitoring the time on it,” Delperdang said.

She believes social media is a different matter altogether and says early exposure can take a heavier mental toll, arguing it’s best to wait until children are teenagers.

Her concerns are echoed by findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, one of the largest long-term studies of child brain development in the United States.
The project has followed more than 10,000 children from ages 9 or 10 into young adulthood, collecting data at 21 research sites nationwide.

Researchers found that nearly two-thirds of participants already had a smartphone by age 12. Among those children, 5.7% had been diagnosed with depression, compared with 4.5% of children who did not have a phone — suggesting early smartphone use may contribute to mood-related problems.

The study also found differences in physical health. Nearly 16% of children who had a smartphone by age 12 fell into the obesity range, compared with fewer than 12% of children without phones. Excess weight in childhood increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, joint problems and other long-term health issues.

Sleep was another major factor. Children with smartphones averaged nearly 17 fewer minutes of sleep per night. Those who did not have a phone at age 12 but received one by 13 showed 50% higher odds of not getting enough sleep after becoming phone owners.

Dr. Anthony Carter says smartphone use should be closely monitored, particularly at younger ages.

“If they start below 2 years of age, it’s associated with language delays, lower vocabulary, because they’re kind of missing out on that caregiver interaction — the back and forth with just normal speech,” Carter said.

He added that loud, bright and fast-paced content can also contribute to attention issues, reduced physical activity and poor sleep habits.

“If you’re sitting watching, they’re not getting enough exercise, so it can lead to obesity, which feeds into chronic problems later in life,” Carter said.

Delperdang says introducing screens too early can make those habits harder to break.

“I think it’s important for all of us to really be thinking about what our teens are seeing, what our kids are seeing, and how we can counter that with time outside and time doing things with our families,” she said.

Experts say parents can reduce risks by keeping phones out of bedrooms at night, limiting screen time and actively monitoring how devices are used.

When it comes to smartphones and children, they say being “smart” about screen time may be the key.