Early Age Smartphone Use Harms Kids Mental Health in Adulthood, Study Finds

By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology, Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA team.

Three young African boys sitting together absorbed in a smartphone held by one of them. Image Credit: Freepik

In many middle-income, urban African homes today, it is common to see a child as young as eight or nine holding a smartphone. Parents buy these devices so children can stay connected, learn or simply be entertained. It is true that smartphones have many benefits, however global research is raising serious questions about what happens when children own smartphones too early.

One such research has found that smartphones use at a very young age could affect children’s mental health later in life and this is very important for African parents, guardians and teachers who are trying to balance technology with healthy child development, to be aware of.

About the Study

The research analysed data from more than 100,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 24 from different countries and cultures. The focus was to see how the age at which a person first owned a smartphone was linked to their mental health in young adulthood.

The study measured mental health using a tool called the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ). This tool looks at emotional wellbeing, self-image, social connections, sleep and other areas of daily functioning. The researchers compared the scores of those who got smartphones early in childhood to those who first owned them at age 13 or later.

What the Study Found

• Young girls who had smartphones at age five or six were almost twice as likely to report severe suicidal thoughts compared to those who got their first phone at age 13 or older.

• For young men, the same pattern was seen though the risk levels were lower.

• Young people who got smartphones at age 12 or younger had poorer mental health outcomes compared to those who started using them later. 

• Someone who first got a smartphone at age five had an average MHQ score of around 1, while someone who started at 13 scored around 30, indicating association between poor mental health development and early smartphone use.

• Early smartphone use raised the odds for mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, emotional instability and low self-worth.

• Factors that explain the connections between early smartphone use and poor mental health quotient include;
  • Early access to social media (40%)
  • Poor family relationships (13%)
  • Disrupted sleep (12%) and 
  • Cyberbullying (10%).

Related: The Influence of Social Media on the Health of African Youths

What the Study Means for Africans

Africa has one of the fastest growing smartphone markets in the world. For many families, buying a phone for a child is seen as a sign of progress, education or social connection. However, this study is a warning that we may need to rethink this habit.

Children in African cities and towns already face pressure from peers to have smartphones. Parents often give in to avoid making their child feel left out but this research shows that the earlier children own a smartphone, the higher the risk of future mental health challenges. These challenges could add to the already heavy burden of mental illness in Africa where access to mental health services is still very limited.

This study is not advocating for children to be cut off from technology completely, rather it encourages parents to be cautious. For example, families can delay giving smartphones until a child is at least 13 years old. In its place, they could provide simpler devices that allow calls and texts without constant access to social media. Schools and communities can also play a role by teaching digital literacy and encouraging more face-to-face interaction, outdoor play and social activities.

Why This Matters

The teenage years are a sensitive stage for brain development. The choices made during this period can have long-term effects. Smartphones are powerful tools but they can also expose children to cyberbullying, harmful content and addiction to social media. Poor sleep from late-night phone use is another serious issue and these are not small matters. This exposure affects how young people see themselves, how they relate to others and even their ability to learn.

For Africa, where mental health awareness is still growing, this research provides valuable guidance. If we want healthy and capable young adults in the future, we must start by protecting their minds today. This includes setting rules for phone use at home, talking openly about the risks and demanding more responsibility from technology companies who design social media platforms and tools.

Wrap Up

Smartphones have changed the way we live, learn and connect with the world yet not every change has been good. This limited global study makes it clear that too early smartphone ownership is linked to poorer mental health later in life. Africans parents, schools and communities must work together to protect children by delaying smartphone ownership and use, teaching digital responsibility and creating healthier spaces for growth.

Childhood should be a time of play, discovery and face-to-face connection; so do not allow screens to take away what young minds truly need to thrive.

Source: Thiagarajan TC, Newson JJ, Swaminathan S. (2025). Protecting the Developing Mind in a Digital Age: A Global Policy Imperative. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 2025;26(3), 493–504. Available from here

Related: High Mobile Phone Use May Increase Your Heart Disease Risk

Published: October 1, 2025

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