A shocking study has revealed that owning a smartphone before the age of 13 can threaten adult mental health. Analyzing data from over 100,000 adolescents, this research found a deep connection between early smartphone use and various mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-esteem.
According to a recent report published in the scientific journal 'Journal of Human Development and Capabilities', young adults aged 18 to 24 who received their first smartphone at age 12 or earlier were more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, emotional instability, and low self-esteem. Specifically, in women, it was linked to decreased self-esteem and emotional resilience, while in men, it was associated with reduced feelings of stability, calmness, confidence, and empathy.
Social Media's Responsibility: A Major Cause of Worsening Mental Health
This study pointed out that approximately 40% of the negative impact of early smartphone ownership on mental health is due to early access to social media. Additionally, 13% of worsening family relationships, 10% of cyberbullying, and 12% of sleep disturbances were related to social media.
Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, a neuroscientist at Stanford University and founder of Sapien Labs, who led the research, explained that these negative effects arise because social media fosters comparison among people, causes excessive time consumption and sleep deprivation, and has algorithms that amplify harmful content. These effects are particularly detrimental due to the vulnerability and lack of worldly experience in young children.
Dr. Thiagarajan emphasized, "We have confirmed that early smartphone ownership and subsequent access to social media lead to significant changes in early adult mental health and well-being." She added that this association is linked to several factors such as early social media access, cyberbullying, sleep disturbances, and worsening family relationships, which manifest as adult symptoms different from traditional depression or anxiety.
The Need for Preventive Measures: A Similar Approach to Alcohol and Tobacco Regulation
Given the increasing incidence of mental illnesses such as aggression, detachment from reality, and suicidal thoughts among young adults, the researchers strongly urged policymakers to adopt a preventive approach similar to alcohol and tobacco regulation, limiting minors' access to smartphones.
The report noted that the average age for acquiring a first smartphone continues to decrease, and despite a minimum age of 13 for social media use, these regulations are inconsistently applied or have many loopholes that can be circumvented.
While acknowledging the limitation that this study is based solely on data analysis, the authors stressed, "The potential scale of harm is too great to ignore and justifies a proactive response." This suggests an urgent need for societal discussion and policy intervention regarding smartphone use to protect children's mental health.
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