Children who own a smartphone before the age of 13 are more likely to experience poorer mental health and well-being in early adulthood, according to a global study of more than 100,000 young people released on Monday.
The research, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities under the title “Protecting the Developing Mind in a Digital Age: A Global Policy Imperative”, draws urgent attention to the need for regulatory action on smartphone and social media access for children.
Based on data from the Global Mind Project, which includes responses from nearly two million people across 163 countries, the study reveals that early exposure to smartphones — especially before age 13 — correlates with increased rates of suicidal thoughts, emotional dysregulation, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.
“Children given smartphones at younger ages are showing significantly poorer mind health outcomes as young adults,” the study notes, highlighting that females are disproportionately affected.
Among 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed, those who had their first smartphone at age five or six were nearly twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts compared to those who got one at age 13. The Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) score, used in the study to assess cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, also dropped sharply with earlier smartphone access.
The study identifies algorithmically driven social media platforms as a major factor in the mental health deterioration. Early access increases vulnerability to cyberbullying, poor sleep, harmful content, and weakened family bonds.
In English-speaking nations, where children typically receive smartphones earlier, these effects were found to be even more pronounced.
“These digital environments, curated by AI to maximise engagement, are exploiting psychological vulnerabilities and disrupting healthy development,” the researchers said.
To address what the authors describe as a public health emergency, the paper proposes a range of developmentally appropriate policies. These include delaying smartphone and social media access until at least age 13, mandating digital literacy and mental health education in schools, and offering basic, developmentally safe ‘kids’ phones’ as alternatives. The study also calls for stronger enforcement of age-verification and accountability from tech companies.
The researchers warn that relying solely on individual parental decisions is ineffective. With peer pressure, corporate influence, and the persuasive power of AI-driven platforms, a coordinated, society-wide response is needed—similar to restrictions on alcohol and tobacco for minors.
“Waiting for definitive causal proof in the face of this overwhelming population-level evidence could cost us an entire generation’s wellbeing,” the paper concludes. “We must act now to safeguard their ability to thrive.”
