A group of researchers from the United States has conducted an observational study aimed at analyzing the impact of owning a phone at the age of 12, and how it might be related to experiencing depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep. According to child and adolescent psychiatrist Ran Barzilay from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, it is important to address the decision of giving a mobile phone to a child, taking into account the potential consequences for their health. The sample consisted of data from 10,588 young people collected as part of a study in a course on adolescent brain development. Factors such as demographics and socioeconomic status were considered, and the data were revealing.
There was a higher percentage of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep among those young people who had mobile devices from the age of 12 compared to those who did not. However, reference is also made to the benefits that have been demonstrated by other studies of owning a mobile phone, such as the support it provides for social connections, aiding learning, and providing access to information. This research published in Pediatrics invites reflection on the use of mobile devices among adolescents, but it also requires deeper and more consistent research to reach clear conclusions.
Use of mobile phones in minors
Children under 20 years old have never known a world without mobile phones, which can pose a problem for their health. A group of researchers in the United States conducted an observational study aiming to determine the difference in impact between having a mobile phone at 12 years old and not having one. They studied aspects such as depression, obesity, and sleep, and the results were concerning. According to child and adolescent psychiatrist Ran Barzilay from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “Our findings suggest that we should view smartphones as a significant factor in adolescent health, carefully addressing the decision to give a child a phone and considering the potential impacts on their life and health”.
The sample consisted of data from 10,588 young people collected as part of an ongoing study on adolescent brain development. For this purpose, they took into account variables such as demographics and socioeconomic status, which revealed that nearly 6.5% of minors with a phone had received a diagnosis of depression compared to 4.5% who did not have one. Regarding obesity, the respective figures were approximately 18% of smartphone users compared to 12% of 12-year-olds without these devices. Regarding lack of sleep or insufficient sleep, 47% of 12-year-olds with phones reported getting insufficient sleep (less than nine hours per night) compared to 3% of their peers without a phone.
Benefits of having a smartphone
Despite these results, there are also studies that recognize the benefits of using mobile phones, as long as their use is responsible. According to Barzilay, “For many teenagers, smartphones can play a constructive role by strengthening social connections, supporting learning, and providing access to information and resources that promote personal growth. Similarly, some families may see a smartphone as a necessity for safety or communication”.
More information is required
Despite the revealing data from this research, which has been published in Pediatrics, it is true that cause-and-effect conclusions cannot be drawn from an observational study, especially considering that depression was measured as any period of depression during a child’s life, so the results may be biased.
That is why future studies are needed, taking into account more determining factors, such as how much screen time or what type of apps young people use. According to Barzilay, “It is essential for young people to have time away from their phones to engage in physical activities, which can protect against obesity and improve mental health over time”.
Frequently asked questions
What benefits can using a mobile phone have for children under 12?
According to Barzilay, “For many teenagers, smartphones can play a constructive role by strengthening social connections, supporting learning, and providing access to information and resources that promote personal growth. Similarly, some families may see a smartphone as a necessity for safety or communication”.