The Risks of Giving Kids Phones Too Young and What Parents Can Do About It

When to give our kids their first cellphone is a hot topic in my tween-parent cohort, especially as we look toward middle school next year (gulp). That’s why I was interested in a new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) examining the association between health risks and the age of phone ownership. 

The study authors identified three potential health implications of giving kids phones too young: mental health issues, weight gain, and sleep problems. 

How young is “too young” for kids to get a phone? 

Unfortunately, there’s no single answer to this question. The AAP study assessed the risks of phone acquisition starting at age 12. 

As you decide what’s right for your child, consider these factors:

• Maturity level
• Communication needs  
• Family circumstances 
• Your child’s existing mental and physical health 

What are the health outcomes of giving children a phone too young? 

The AAP study looked at three specific health issues when evaluating the impacts of early phone ownership. 

1. Mental health issues

The study found that, compared with their peers who don’t own phones, kids with smartphones at age 12 are:

• 28% more likely to show signs of depression.
• 59% more likely to have anxiety. 

2. Weight gain

The authors of the study found that smartphone use in early adolescence was associated with a 40% higher risk for obesity.

I found this item problematic for several reasons: 

1. The causes of weight gain are complex and not fully understood.
2. Many experts say the “war on obesity" does more harm than good. 
3. As their sole measurement tool, the study used BMI, which is widely considered to be racially and gender biased. 

But these flaws don’t mean we need to throw out this point altogether. Instead, let’s look at two uncontroversial facts:

1. Increased phone use by children leads to decreased physical activity.
2. Physical activity offers numerous physical and mental health benefits for kids.  

Therefore, it stands to reason that the younger kids are given a phone, the younger they may become sedentary, introducing numerous health risks sooner. 

3. Sleep problems 

The study found that kids with smartphones were 60% more likely not to get enough sleep. Specifically:

• Insufficient sleep was defined as “youth-reported sleep duration of less than 9 hours per night.” 
• Each year earlier that a child got their first smartphone was associated with an 8% increase in insufficient sleep. 

How to protect your child against the negative health impacts of phone use

Given the connection between early phone ownership and negative outcomes for kids, giving your child their first device should not be taken lightly. 

Here are some protective steps you can take: 

1. Delay phone ownership if possible 

The earlier a child gets a phone, the more likely they are to be impacted. Therefore, even a few years’ delay can make a difference. There is a growing advocacy movement encouraging families to hold off until high school if possible, as well as a number of smartphone alternatives.

2. Consider other tools first  

The APA study did not find the same negative outcomes from other devices such as tablets and smart watches. Therefore, you should consider whether your child’s need for a smartphone could instead be met in another way. 

Tablets can be used for texting and FaceTiming from home, and smart watches are a great option for communicating while out of the house. 

3. Monitor their use 

The authors of the APA study suggest that a child’s smartphone ownership should be accompanied by “dedicated oversight.” That could look like: 

• Setting up a digital device contract to establish expectations on how and when your child will use their phone. 
• Periodic safety check-ins to check how they’re using their phone and  keep the lines of communication open.  
• Using an app like BrightCanary to monitor for concerns. 

Summary

Research increasingly shows mental and physical health risks from giving a child a smartphone at a young age. The exact age to give your child their first phone depends on your unique circumstances. Before giving your child their first phone, weigh the pros and cons and explore alternative device options. Once your child has a phone, it’s important to regulate and monitor their use to help protect against negative health outcomes. 

BrightCanary helps you monitor your child’s activity on their smartphone and other Apple devices. The app scans everything your child types and sends you real-time alerts about anything concerning. You also receive AI-powered summaries, emotional insights, and access to full transcripts. Download today to get started for free.