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Early Smartphone Ownership Linked to Poorer⁤ Mental Wellbeing

Owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with ⁣poorer mind health and wellbeing ⁤in early adulthood, according to a global⁤ study of more then ‍100,000⁢ young people.

Published recently in the peer-reviewed Journal of Human⁣ Progress and Capabilities, the study found ‍that 18- to 24-year-olds who had received their first smartphone at age 12 or⁣ younger were more likely to‍ report⁣ suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, poorer emotional regulation, and‍ low self-worth.

The data also shows evidence that these effects of smartphone ownership at an early age are in large part associated with⁤ early social ‍media access‍ and higher ⁣risks of cyberbullying,disrupted sleep,and poor family relationships⁤ by adulthood.

A team of experts from ⁤Sapien Labs, which hosts the world’s‍ largest database on ‍mental wellbeing, the global Mind Project — where the data for this research was pooled from — are calling⁢ for urgent action to protect the mind health of future generations.

“Our‍ data indicate that ⁣early smartphone ownership — and ‍the social media access it frequently enough brings — is linked with a ⁤profound shift in⁢ mind ‍health and wellbeing in early adulthood,” says lead author neuroscientist Dr Tara Thiagarajan, who‍ is the founder and Chief Scientist of⁣ Sapien Labs.

“These correlations are mediated⁤ through several⁤ factors, including‍ social media access, cyberbullying, disrupted sleep, and poor family relationships leading to symptoms in adulthood that are ‍not the conventional mental health symptoms ‍of depression and anxiety and can be missed by studies using standard screeners. These symptoms of⁤ increased aggression, detachment⁤ from reality and suicidal⁣ thoughts can have notable societal consequences⁢ as their rates grow in younger generations.

“Based on these findings,and with ⁣the age of first smartphones now well under⁤ age 13 across the⁣ world,we urge policymakers to adopt a precautionary approach,similar to regulations on ⁣alcohol and tobacco,by restricting smartphone access for under 13s,mandating digital literacy⁢ education and enforcing corporate accountability.”

Since the early 2000s, smartphones have reshaped how young people connect,⁣ learn and form identities. ‍But⁢ alongside these opportunities come growing concerns ⁤over how AI-driven ⁤social ⁣media algorithms may amplify harmful content and encourage social comparison — while also impacting on other activities such as face-to-face interaction and sleep.

Even though many ‍social media platforms set a minimum user age of 13, ‍enforcement is inconsistent. Meanwhile, the average age of first smartphone ownership⁤ continues to fall, with many children spending hours a day on their devices.

Currently, it is indeed a mixed picture⁣ internationally around the banning on phones in schools, at⁢ least. In recent years, several countries have banned⁤ or restricted cell phone use in institutions, including⁣ France,⁤ the Netherlands, Italy, and New Zealand. Results of these moves are ⁤limited, though a ⁣study commissioned by the⁣ Dutch government has found improved focus among students. This month, policymakers in New York have announced it was⁤ to become the largest US state yet to ban smartphones in schools, joining ⁣locations such as Alabama, Arkansas,⁤ Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and West virginia which have‍ all passed ⁣legislation requiring⁢ schools to have policies that at least limit access to smartphones.

previous studies into screen time, social media and ‍smartphone access‍ and various mental health‍ outcomes have shown negative ⁤effects, but also⁢ mixed, frequently enough conflicting results‍ — making it hard for policymakers, schools, and families to navigate this issue. Possibly this may ‍have to do with the ⁤use of screeners that miss the critical associated symptoms.

For this⁣ new analysis, the team at Sapien drew⁢ data from their Global Mind