12-year-olds with smartphones are more likely to develop eating disorders by 14

Key Points:

• A study published in JAMA Network Open found that 12-year-olds who own smartphones are more likely to develop eating disorder symptoms by age 14 compared to peers without phones, with 24% of smartphone owners reporting symptoms versus less than 16% of non-owners.
• The research highlights that early smartphone access exposes children to appearance-focused content, which can increase body dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviors during a critical developmental period marked by puberty and body image changes.
• Experts recommend delaying smartphone access or gradually introducing social media use to mitigate mental health risks, and suggest parents implement controls such as app restrictions and monitoring to protect children’s well-being.
• Despite most social media platforms setting 13 as the minimum age, many 11- and 12-year-olds already have accounts, underscoring the need for parental involvement and open conversations about online content and its impact on body image and eating behaviors.
• The study emphasizes that parents should establish clear rules about phone use, monitor changes in their children's eating habits and self-esteem, and use family time, like meals, to discuss digital experiences and concerns.