- A new study suggests children should not receive a smartphone before age 13, at the earliest, for better mental health outcomes.
- Researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that while age 13 is safer, smartphone use at this age still poses risks, particularly for sleep health.
- Previous findings indicated higher odds of poor sleep, depression, and obesity for 12-year-olds who acquired smartphones.
- The risk of poor sleep, depression, or obesity more than doubles for children spending over five hours daily on their phones compared to two hours or less.
- Experts recommend setting daily limits on smartphone use and keeping devices out of children's bedrooms at night to mitigate potential health issues.
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