Smartphone use at age 12 linked to eating disorder symptoms 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 phone owners showing symptoms versus less than 16% without phones.
• Researchers suggest that early smartphone access exposes children to appearance-focused social media content, which can negatively impact body image and increase the risk of disordered eating behaviors.
• The tween years are critical for emotional and physical development, and comparing oneself to curated images on social media may lead to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem, both risk factors for eating disorders.
• Experts recommend delaying smartphone access and gradually introducing social media use with parental monitoring and restrictions to help protect children's mental health and body image.
• Parents are encouraged to stay involved in their children's digital lives by setting rules, discussing online content openly, and observing any changes in eating habits or body talk.