The earlier a child uses a smartphone, the poorer their mental health, finds a new report exploring how excessive screen time affects kids

The earlier a child uses a smartphone, the poorer their mental health, finds a new report exploring how excessive screen time affects kids

- Sumitra Nair

Has your sweet little kid suddenly started snapping at you when you ask for something to be done? It may be the result of your child using the smartphone too much or having too much screen time. The Youth Mind: Rising Aggression and Anger, a January 2025 report released by Sapien Labs, a US-based non-profit, states that increased use of smartphones is resulting in pre-teens and teens becoming more aggressive and angry. According to the report, which studied the mental health and well-being of 10,475 internet-enabled adolescents aged 13-17 across the US and India, "the younger the age at which someone gets their first smartphone, the poorer their mental health and well-being".

At a glance, the report says that among children who get their smartphone before age 10, "60% are distressed or struggling, 55% feel sad and anxious, 49% have a sense of being detached from reality, 38% feel aggression and anger, 17% experience hallucinations and 39% have suicidal thoughts at a level that impairs their ability to function effectively." Additionally, the report finds that the problem is more pronounced among girls, with 65% of those surveyed being distressed or struggling to function effectively.

"After covid-19, screen time has tripled among children of all ages, especially among teens and pre-teens," says Bengaluru-based psychotherapist Aji Joseph. This usage is not just limited to smartphones but includes other gadgets like gaming devices and tablets.

"This means that kids are not just using devices to give and receive information, but are also engaging in activities like betting and phone sex," Joseph says. According to him, this rise in screen time is causing an increase in ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) symptoms among children, as well.