A sweeping international study of more than 100,000 young people is raising alarms about the long-term impact of smartphones on mental health. Researchers found that those who owned a smartphone before age 13 were more likely to struggle with serious issues later in life, including suicidal thoughts, aggression, emotional instability, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.
In the US, roughly 17% of children under 12 already own a smartphone, while globally about 56% of kids aged eight to 12 have one.
The findings, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities,
raise a pressing question: is early tech access a private choice, or a public health concern demanding action?
Behind every screen handed to a child lies a decision that could ripple into adulthood. Click through this gallery to see what the research reveals.