How do smartphones affect children under 12 years old?
(Dan Tri) - A study in the US shows that using smartphones too early is associated with a higher risk of depression, sleep disorders and obesity in children.
However, this device also offers several benefits if used properly.
Previously, mobile phones mainly served the needs of calling, texting and some simple games like Snake. Today, smartphones have become multi-purpose devices, allowing users to access the Internet, use thousands of applications and stay entertained at all times.
A new study shows that many children are exposed to smartphones at an early age. (Photo: Seventyfour/Getty Images).
A study just published in the journal Pediatrics looked at the link between smartphone ownership before age 12 and physical and mental health.
The researchers did not track what children used their phones for, but focused on answering the question of whether owning a smartphone too early is linked to health problems.
The results show that the younger children start using phones, the greater their risk of problems such as poor sleep, obesity and mental health disorders.
The study was conducted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and scientists from the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University, with more than 10,000 American children participating during the period 2018-2020.
Notably, many states in the US have also banned students from using smartphones in schools because of concerns about the impact on health and learning.
The risks are noted
Some studies show that smartphone use is associated with the risk of obesity in children (Photo: Kwanchai.c/Shutterstock).
The study compared a group of children who used smartphones early with a group who did not own this device.
The results showed that children with smartphones at age 12 were 31% more likely to have depressive symptoms than those without phones.
In addition, smartphone ownership is also associated with a 40% higher risk of obesity and a 62% higher risk of sleep problems.
According to the authors, sleep quality plays an important role in children's development. Prolonged lack of sleep can increase the risk of mental health problems during adolescence.
Research also notes that the earlier children start using phones, the greater their risk of obesity, poor sleep and psychological problems.
Among the children participating in the survey, 63.3% owned a smartphone and the median age of owning a first phone was 11 years old.
Note: This is an observational study, only showing an association, not proving that smartphones are the direct cause of the above problems.
Positive aspects of smartphones for children
Smartphones help parents and children stay in touch more conveniently (Photo: Prostock-Studio/Getty Images).
Although focusing on analyzing negative effects, many other studies show that smartphones still bring some benefits if used properly.
According to Concordia University (Nebraska, USA), the biggest benefit is helping parents and children maintain contact at all times, thereby increasing the feeling of peace of mind. In an emergency, children can also proactively contact rescue services or relatives.
In addition, smartphones can help children develop skills in using digital technology, access learning resources on the Internet, and practice independence.
Experts also believe that this can be a tool for parents to guide their children on how to manage screen time and build healthy digital habits through appropriate limits.
Ultimately, at what age children should use and own smartphones is still the decision of each family.