A new study shows using smartphones before the age of 13 can significantly damage kids’ mental health, with researchers warning they shouldn’t be allowed to have them.
Worse for girls
The study linked smartphone use to suicidal thoughts, poor emotional regulation, lower self-worth and detachment from reality, with the effects proving worse for girls.
Age matters
Researchers also found that the younger the smartphone user was, the worse their mental health and well-being were likely to be.
A newly published study shows using smartphones before the age of 13 could damage kids’ mental health. So much so that researchers are now calling for global protections.
What did the study find?
Researchers with the nonprofit Sapien Labs found that smartphone use by kids younger than 13 could be linked to higher rates of suicidal thoughts, poorer emotional regulation, lower self-worth and detachment from reality. It also found that this was especially true for girls.
Specifically, the negative mental health symptoms strongly linked to earlier smartphone ownership include not just suicidal thoughts and detachment from reality, but aggression and even hallucinations.
In addition to lower self-worth, earlier smartphone ownership was also linked to diminished self-image and confidence, lower emotional resilience among females, and lower stability, calmness and empathy among males.
The study also found the impacts compounded –– meaning the younger the smartphone user was, the worse their mental health and well-being were likely to be. Researchers say that could be because smartphone use exposes them to social media and cyberbullying at earlier ages, while also being linked to sleep disruption and poor family relationships.
How does this compare to other studies?
This is far from the first study on the impacts of screen time, social media use and smartphone access on children and teenagers.
A Pew Research Center study published in April found nearly half (48%) of 13- to 17-year-olds say social media sites have a mostly negative effect on people their age, but only 14% think they negatively affect them personally. That study also echoed Sapien Labs’ study, showing teen girls are more likely than boys to say social media hurt their mental health, confidence or sleep.
However, a study out of the University of South Florida (USF) found that despite negative mental health outcomes linked to social media use, smartphone ownership could actually benefit children.
“Kids with smartphones, for example, reported convening in-person more frequently with friends each week than kids who have no phone or share a phone with someone else,” the USF study’s authors wrote.
“Our findings indicate that the effects of smartphone ownership are complex,” said Wendy Rote, USF associate professor of psychology. “It’s what kids do with cell phones and challenges in regulating their device use, rather than merely owning a smartphone, that may cause difficulties or inversely benefit their lives.”
What do researchers recommend?
The Sapien Labs study’s authors say the findings are so concerning that they want to see global restrictions on smartphone and social media use for kids under 13.
“Based on these numbers, restricting smartphones during childhood, and in particular social media, has the potential to significantly strengthen capabilities and functioning by reducing clinical level mental distress in up to 8.5% of younger populations and suicidal thoughts in up to 20%, while improving emotional resilience and self-confidence in 12%,” the study’s authors wrote.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
