Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health New Data Connects Smartphone Ownership at Age 12 to Obesity and Mental Health Concerns
Jan 16, 2026
Early smartphone ownership is linked to increased risks of depression, obesity, and poor sleep, particularly if acquired before age 13. Each year earlier heightens these risks, with significant emotional and psychological consequences emerging in young adulthood. Disruptions from phones compromise sleep quality and emotional resilience, with poor family bonds amplifying the effects. Key recommendations include delaying phone access, enforcing bedroom bans, and creating structured device rules to foster healthier relationships and well-being.
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Early Ownership Alters Health Trajectories
- Owning a smartphone at age 12 shifts health trajectories toward worse outcomes quickly.
- Each year earlier increases obesity and insufficient sleep risks significantly.
A Sharp Breakpoint Between Ages 12 and 13
- Acquiring a phone between ages 12 and 13 sharply raises clinical psychopathology and sleep problems.
- The shift persists after adjusting for baseline mental health, implicating phone acquisition itself.
Sleep Disruption Is Central
- Sleep disruption from night alerts and bright screens reduces melatonin and recovery.
- Poor sleep then ripples into appetite, activity, and emotional regulation.