Smartphones at age 12 linked to worse health

"Kids who owned a smartphone at age 12 were found to have about 31% higher odds of depression, 40% higher odds of obesity and 62% higher odds of insufficient sleep than their peers who didn't have one. The researchers analyzed data from the National Institutes of Health-supported Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study assessments conducted between 2016 and 2022. The study included responses from 10,588 youths."

"Kids who had smartphones were more likely to be female, Black or Hispanic, and from lower-income households. The findings will be published in a forthcoming issue of the journal Pediatrics. The intrigue: The results seem specific to owning a smartphone, the researchers write, since their models accounted for owning other devices like tablets and smartwatches. Zoom out: A separate study published last week found that a one-week social media detox significantly improved mental health outcomes among 373 young adults with problematic social media use."

Analysis of NIH-supported Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study assessments from 2016 to 2022 included responses from 10,588 youths. Owning a smartphone at age 12 was associated with about 31% higher odds of depression, 40% higher odds of obesity and 62% higher odds of insufficient sleep compared with peers without smartphones. Youth with smartphones were more likely female, Black or Hispanic, and from lower-income households. Models accounted for ownership of other devices such as tablets and smartwatches, indicating associations were specific to smartphones. A separate one-week social media detox produced significant mental health improvements among 373 young adults with problematic social media use. Findings will be published in an upcoming issue of Pediatrics.

Read at Axios