Too Young for Screen? Early Smartphone Use May be Tied to Suicidal Thoughts, Aggression, Study Suggests - Video

Owning a smartphone before the age of 13 may have lasting negative effects on mental health, according to a new global study published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities. The study, based on data from over 100,000 young people aged 18 to 24, found that early smartphone ownership is associated with poorer mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood including increased risks of suicidal thoughts, emotional dysregulation, aggression, and low self-worth.

The research, conducted by scientists at Sapien Labs using data from their Global Mind Project, is the first to reveal large-scale evidence linking the age of first smartphone use to long-term mental wellbeing. The team drew data from their Global Mind Project, and then used the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) a self-assessment tool that measures social, emotional, cognitive, and physical wellbeing to generate an overall ‘mind health’ score. The findings were stark: the younger the age of first smartphone ownership, the lower the Mind Health Quotient scores. For instance, individuals who received their first smartphone at age 13 had an average score of 30, while those who received one at age five averaged just 1.

Among the notable trends, early smartphone users reported higher rates of hallucinations, detachment from reality, and suicidal thoughts symptoms not typically captured by standard mental health screeners. These effects were consistent across different cultures, languages, and global regions.

Although the study cannot establish direct causation, researchers argue the strength and scale of these associations merit immediate policy attention. Recommendations include mandating digital literacy education, enforcing age restrictions on social media use, holding tech companies accountable, and introducing graduated access to smartphones.

“Our data indicate that early smartphone ownership and the social media access it often brings is linked with a profound shift in mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood,” said Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, lead author and Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs. The study points to early access to social media, cyberbullying, disrupted sleep, and weakened family relationships as key mediators of this decline.

“Our evidence suggests childhood smartphone ownership, an early gateway into AI-powered digital environments, is profoundly diminishing mind health and wellbeing in adulthood,” Thiagarajan concluded. “Waiting for irrefutable proof risks missing the window for timely, preventative action.”

Reference: Thiagarajan, T. C., Newson, J. J., & Swaminathan, S. (2025). Protecting the Developing Mind in a Digital Age: A Global Policy Imperative. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2025.2518313