How early smartphone use increases eating disorder risks in preteens

• A new U.S. study reveals that children who own a smartphone by age 12 are significantly more likely to report eating disorder symptoms two years later.
• Nearly 25 percent of 12-year-old smartphone owners reported symptoms like binge eating and tying self-worth to weight by age 14, compared to under 16 percent of non-owners.
• Lead author Dr. Jason Nagata noted that smartphones expose young people to appearance-focused digital content that can harm their health.
• The research indicates that 70 percent of 12-year-olds now own smartphones, adding to growing evidence linking early phone access to depression, obesity, and sleep disruption.
• Experts recommend that parents set clear ground rules, discuss online exposures with their children, and keep smartphones out of bedrooms overnight.

IN FULL

Preteen parents have another reason to watch how much their kid uses their smartphone