Children who own smartphones before age 12 face a 31% higher risk of depression and a 40% higher risk of obesity

A U.S. research team analyzed more than 10,000 children and found that 12-year-olds who owned smartphones had higher risks of depression symptoms, obesity, and sleep deprivation than peers without phones.

Children who got their first smartphone at a younger age showed an even greater tendency toward health risks.

The findings suggest that the timing of smartphone ownership may affect both children’s mental and physical health.

The study gives parents and policymakers new evidence to rethink when to give children devices and how to set usage guidelines.