Children getting smartphones before age 13 face higher mental health risks: Study

Children who own a smartphone before age 13 are more likely to experience mental health problems as young adults, with the risk increasing the younger they are when they receive their first phone, a study released on Monday has found.

Researchers said their study’s findings underscored the need for policies to create safer digital spaces and restrict smartphones for children under 13, offering alternatives like “kids’ phones” without social media or artificial intelligence-driven content.