Ran Barzilay, a psychiatrist and researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has decided not to let his nine-year-old son get a smartphone until he turns 13.
This decision follows findings from his recent study, published in Pediatrics, which found that children who get smartphones at a younger age face greater health risks.
The study, based on data from more than 10,000 children in the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, observed participants from 2016 to 2022. It found that children who owned a smartphone by age 12 were more likely to experience depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep compared to peers without phones.
Children in the study received smartphones between ages four and 13, with the median age being 11. For each year a child received a smartphone before age 12, the risk of obesity and inadequate sleep increased by about 10 percent. However, earlier smartphone ownership was not linked to a higher risk of depression.
Barzilay emphasized that smartphones are not inherently “bad” or “good,” but parents should consider their potential impact on a child’s well-being. He noted that nearly 60 percent of 11- and 12-year-olds already own smartphones, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, with ownership lower among younger children.
The study also found that children who did not own a smartphone at 12 but received one by 13 faced higher risks of mental health problems and insufficient sleep. The researchers accounted for factors such as household income, parental education, puberty, parental monitoring, and use of other devices, though they acknowledged that unmeasured factors could also influence outcomes.
Barzilay advised parents to monitor how smartphone use affects their children’s sleep, physical activity, and social interactions. Recommendations include keeping devices out of bedrooms at night and maintaining tech-free family time, such as during meals.
Ultimately, the study highlights the importance of making informed decisions about smartphone ownership for children, weighing both potential harms and benefits. Barzilay believes delaying smartphone use when possible can be beneficial for families.
