Study Links Early Smartphone Ownership to Eating Disorders in Teens

Children who have smartphones by the age of 12 may be at a greater risk of showing symptoms of eating disorders compared to their peers who don’t have such devices, a recent study suggests.

This research, released in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, stems from a comprehensive survey involving nearly 9,000 adolescents in the United States.

Dr. Jason Nagata, who led the study, mentioned that “A smartphone can put a world of appearance-focused content in a young person’s pocket.” He emphasized that this exposure to curated images and messages might promote unhealthy eating habits. It’s crucial for parents to understand that providing a smartphone isn’t solely about the gadget itself; it significantly alters a child’s access to various content and influences in the digital realm.

Moreover, it’s not only about whether a child receives a phone but also the timing. The concern is that screen time and social media usage are tied to several adverse outcomes, including depression, low self-esteem, and substance-use experimentation among youth. Previous studies from Nagata’s lab have established connections between screen time and binge eating.

In prior research, the focus was primarily on how long young individuals spend on their devices. For this latest paper, Nagata aimed to investigate the age at which kids start using smartphones and how that early exposure could influence the emergence of disordered eating patterns later.

Research indicates that around 22% of young people worldwide exhibit disordered eating behaviors. It’s vital to clarify the difference between disordered eating and a full-blown eating disorder, which usually hinges on the severity and whether the individual meets certain diagnostic criteria. Both scenarios can entail an unhealthy preoccupation with food and weight, skewed perceptions of body shape and size, and compensatory behaviors like extreme dieting or excessive exercise.

By examining data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, a large-scale investigation on brain health in American children, Nagata and his team found that about 70% of 12-year-olds owned smartphones. Among these youths, 24% reported experiencing at least one symptom of an eating disorder by age 14. In contrast, fewer than 16% of those who didn’t have smartphones at the same age reported disordered eating two years later.

The years leading into adolescence are essential for both physical and emotional growth. Puberty brings significant shifts in body perception, and naturally, kids start to compare themselves to each other. Nagata pointed out that whereas such comparisons used to occur primarily among peers, the rise of social media means kids are now measuring themselves against carefully curated images of influencers. This can lead to increased body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem, which are known risk factors for developing eating disorders.

The research revealed that tweens who owned smartphones at 12 were twice as likely to connect their self-worth to their weight and one and a half times more likely to attempt controlling their weight through methods like eating low-calorie meals or engaging in rigorous exercise.

Delaying smartphone access could potentially help shield adolescents from body image problems—at least temporarily, Dr. Mitch Prinstein, a prominent psychology and neuroscience professor at the University of North Carolina, suggested. He noted that emerging studies indicate postponing exposure to phones and similar technologies by a few months may benefit kids’ mental well-being.

When children eventually receive smartphones, Prinstein advises that parents should allow them to gradually gain exposure to social media over time. It’s not advisable to hand over an unrestricted phone and let them browse endlessly.

Most major social media platforms set 13 as the minimum age for creating an account; however, Nagata’s past research indicates that nearly two-thirds of 11- and 12-year-olds already have accounts on popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

This recent study doesn’t provide a definitive answer regarding the ideal age to give children smartphones, according to Nagata. However, if parents decide to provide phones to preteens, it might be wise to implement “additional guardrails.” This could include restricting certain apps and keeping phones out of bedrooms to make monitoring their online activities easier.

It’s essential for parents to stay engaged in their children’s digital experiences, Nagata stressed. Establishing clear rules for phone use, having open dialogues about online content, and being alert to any shifts in how their kids eat or discuss their bodies are critical. Perhaps, mealtime could serve as an ideal opportunity to talk about these matters, even if phones aren’t allowed at the table.