Smart phones and children's mental health : Shared by Ramesh Shrestha

I would like to share the summary of a research conducted by two universities and a hospital on the impacts of smartphone users by preteens on their mental health. The data was collected from more than 10,000 smartphone users adolescents between 2018 to 2021. It seems like even among our XUNICEF retiree group some seem to have accepted the smartphone use by children as a given fact that cannot be controlled. Below is the link should you decide to share.

Ramesh  

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Study Links Smartphone Ownership in Childhood to Increased Risk of Depression and Obesity in Youth

Lead Author: Ran Barzilay, MD, PhD

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Date: December 1, 2025

Click here for the article

Summary:

A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, UC Berkeley, and Columbia University found that owning a smartphone in early adolescence is associated with increased risks of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep compared to not owning a smartphone. 

Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 US adolescents aged 12-13 participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study between 2018-2021. Smartphone ownership at age 12 showed increased health risks, with younger age of acquisition linked to additional risks of obesity and insufficient sleep. Among adolescents without smartphones at age 12, acquiring one within the following year was associated with greater risk of mental health problems and insufficient sleep at age 13 compared to peers who remained without phones. 

The study, published in PEDIATRICS, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic variables, ownership of other devices, pubertal development, and parental monitoring. 

Lead author Dr. Ran Barzilay emphasized the findings should prompt thoughtful consideration rather than blanket smartphone prohibition, noting phones can strengthen social connections, support learning, and provide safety communication.

Quotes:

"Our findings suggest that we should view smartphones as a significant factor in teen health, approaching the decision to give a child a phone with care and considering potential impacts on their life and health." — Dr. Ran Barzilay, CHOP Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Research Center

"We are not claiming smartphones are detrimental to all adolescents' health; rather, we advocate for thoughtful consideration of the health implications, balancing both positive and negative consequences." — Dr. Ran Barzilay

"It's critical for young people to have time away from their phones to engage in physical activity, which can protect against obesity and enhance mental health over time." — Dr. Ran Barzilay