Parents should avoid allowing children under 13 to use smartphones and social media, according to new research published in the Journal of the Human Development and Capabilities.
The study, released on Monday, found that early smartphone use is linked to negative mental health outcomes in children, especially among girls.
Children who began using smartphones before age 13 were more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, poor emotional regulation, lower self-esteem, and detachment from reality.
The study revealed that the earlier a child acquired a smartphone, the more likely their overall mental health and well-being would be negatively affected.
Researchers suggest this is due to increased exposure to social media, sleep disturbances, cyberbullying, and strained family relationships among younger users.
The findings are based on self-reported data from a global survey involving nearly 2 million people across 163 countries.
