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Parents everywhere wrestle with one big question. What is the right age to let a child have a smartphone?
Tweens ask for one long before many adults feel ready. At the same time, researchers keep sounding alarms about how early access may shape health and behavior. Now, a large new study gives parents even more to think about.
Published in Pediatrics, the research tracked more than 10,500 children in the national Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. It found strong links between early smartphone ownership and higher odds of depression, obesity and insufficient sleep by age 12. The earlier kids got a phone, the greater their risk.
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What the study reveals about early smartphone ownership
The study compared 12-year-olds who owned smartphones with those who did not. Kids with phones were more likely to show signs of depression, carry extra weight and sleep less than their peers without devices. Researchers noted that these patterns held even after accounting for income, neighborhood, parental monitoring and other factors.
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Parents can lower these risks by delaying devices, setting limits and keeping phones out of bedrooms at night. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
They also looked at children who still did not own a phone at age 12. One year later, those who had finally received one showed more mental health concerns and worse sleep than those who still did not have a device. These shifts happened quickly, which raised concerns about how powerful the change can be.
Lead author Dr Ran Barzilay explained that parents should treat the decision like a real health milestone. A device changes how kids sleep, move and socialize. That combination may create more strain for a 12-year-old than for a 16-year-old who has more maturity and self-regulation.
Why age matters more than many parents expect
The research shows an association, not a direct cause. Yet the patterns match earlier findings. Kids with smartphones often stay up later, scroll more and move less. That mix can disrupt physical health and emotional well-being. Adolescence is a sensitive stage when small shifts in sleep or mood can have long-lasting effects.
Experts also pointed out how nearly every teen now has smartphone access. That makes the decision even harder for families who want to delay. Still, researchers say the data is strong enough to guide parents toward waiting when possible. Parents do not need perfect evidence to choose a slower timeline.
Pediatric mental health experts warn that a smartphone is not a simple tool. It opens the entire internet with no natural limits. Families need clear rules and protections and those steps require real work from adults. Many parents feel pressure to hand over a device early, yet the expert urged families to trust their instincts when deciding the timing.
The sleep connection families cannot ignore
Most experts agree that phones disrupt sleep. A large share of preteens keep devices in their bedrooms, which leads to late-night scrolling and overnight notifications. Even the glow of the screen can make it harder to fall asleep.
Researchers who study adolescent sleep and screen habits have found that many 11 to 12-year-olds keep devices within reach at night, and a notable share report being awakened by notifications. Experts in this field urge parents to move phones out of bedrooms overnight because better sleep can reduce some of the risks tied to early smartphone access.
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Researchers found that kids who got phones sooner showed more mental health strain within a year. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The challenge is consistency. Many parents struggle to set rules when screens support school work, friendships and safety. Yet researchers stress that even one boundary, like no phones in bedrooms, can protect sleep and reduce stress.
How parents can use this information right now
No one wants to shame parents who already gave their kids a phone. Many families made the decision for safety or communication needs. The study does not claim that every early smartphone user will face health issues. It simply highlights patterns worth considering before making the call. Parents can use these insights to create a healthier plan.
1) Delay smartphones until children show readiness
Readiness is more than age. Look for consistent responsibility with chores, schoolwork and device-free rules on other screens.
2) Set clear family rules for screen time
Kids follow rules when they understand why they exist. Set limits that work for your household and adjust them as schedules and needs change.
3) Keep devices out of bedrooms at night
Nighttime use and notifications interrupt sleep. A “charging station” in the kitchen or living room solves this fast.
4) Talk often about online safety and emotional well-being
Short regular check-ins work better than one long conversation. Keep the tone open and supportive.
5) Use parental controls and app limits
Cell phones give parents straightforward tools to manage what kids can see and when they can use their devices.
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How to set healthy limits on an iPhone
Set downtime
- Open Settings
- Tap Screen Time
- Select Downtime
- Toggle on Scheduled
- Scroll down and set a schedule where only essential apps are allowed
Use app limits
- Go to Settings
- Tap Screen Time
- Select App Limits
- Tap Add limit to set daily time limits for social apps, videos and games
- Click Next and set the Time and Customize Days
- Click the Check Mark in the upper right-hand corner
Restrict adult content
- Open Settings
- Tap Screen Time
- Select Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Tap App Store, Media, Web & Games
- Select Web Content
- Select Limit Adult Websites
How to set healthy limits on Android
Set digital wellbeing limits
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open Settings
- Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls
- Select Dashboard
- Choose an app
- Tap App Timer and set a daily limit
Enable Google Family Link
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open the Family Link app on the parent device
- Add your child’s Google account
- Set app approvals
- Restrict content through Filters on Google Play
- Enable location and activity reports
Turn on SafeSearch (blocks explicit results in Google Search)
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open the Google app or go to google.com
- Tap your profile photo
- Select Settings
- Tap SafeSearch
- Turn on Filter explicit results
Strengthen browser protection in Chrome
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open Chrome
- Tap the three dots
- Select Settings
- Tap Privacy and security
- Select Safe Browsing
- Choose Enhanced protection
- Click the Left arrow to exit.
Experts who study youth mental health stress that the point is not fear. It is preparation. Thoughtful rules, controlled access and earlier boundaries can reduce risks associated with early smartphone ownership. Small changes make a big difference when kids are still developing the habits that shape their health.
Pro tip: Add device protection
Kids download apps, click links and explore online spaces that can expose them to harmful content or scams. Strong antivirus software adds an extra layer of protection by blocking risky sites and unsafe downloads. It helps keep their device safer while you work on healthy screen habits.
The best way to safeguard your kids’ devices from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing their private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all their devices. This protection can also alert them to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping their personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your kids’ Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Smartphones bring connection, opportunity and convenience. They also introduce stress distraction and real health challenges for younger users. Research keeps showing that age matters. A 12-year-old may not be built for the same digital world that a 16-year-old can handle with more confidence and self-control. Families do not need guilt. They need facts and support so they can choose what fits their values. As more data arrives, the message grows clearer. Slowing down may give kids the best chance to thrive online and off.
At what age do you think is right for a first smartphone? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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