Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health Getting a Smartphone Too Young Linked to Lasting Mental Health Harm
Sep 9, 2025
Handing a smartphone to kids before age 13 can lead to serious mental health issues in adulthood, including suicidal thoughts and aggression. Early access to social media increases risks of cyberbullying and poor sleep, with girls being particularly vulnerable. Research shows that teaching digital literacy and delaying smartphone access can bolster emotional resilience. Parents are encouraged to set boundaries around tech use to protect their children from harmful online content.
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Early Phones Predict Long-Term Harm
- Receiving a smartphone before age 13 predicts much poorer mental health in young adulthood across multiple domains.
- Those who got phones at age 5 averaged far lower mind health scores than those who first owned one at 13.
Severe Symptoms Concentrate In Early Owners
- Early owners showed higher rates of suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment, and hallucinations into young adulthood.
- Females who received phones at 5–6 reported especially high rates of severe suicidal thoughts compared with those who got one at 13.
Social Media Exploits Developmental Gaps
- Early phone ownership usually leads to earlier social media use, increasing exposure to cyberbullying and harmful content.
- The prefrontal cortex matures into the mid-20s, so algorithmic platforms exploit immature decision and impulse control.