A large new study is raising concerns about the potential health impacts of early smartphone access for children. Researchers found a correlation between smartphone ownership before age 12 and increased risks of depression, obesity, and sleep problems, prompting renewed discussion among parents and experts about appropriate age limits for device use. The study, which analyzed data from over 10,500 American children, comes as screen time among young people – especially in Norway, which reports the highest levels in the Nordic region – continues to climb.
A new, large-scale study suggests that allowing children access to smartphones at a young age may be linked to increased risks of depression, obesity, and sleep problems. The findings are prompting renewed debate among parents about when – or if – to give their children these devices.
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Many parents struggle with the decision, as teenagers increasingly demand smartphones and access to social media. However, research indicates that Norwegian parents may not be consistently enforcing limits.
The study, analyzing data from more than 10,500 American children, found that those with smartphones by age 12 were at a higher risk for the aforementioned health concerns.
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Increased Risk of Obesity and Depression
Researchers found that the younger children were when they received a smartphone, the greater the risk of obesity and sleep deprivation. This study is the largest long-term investigation of its kind in the United States.
The study highlights the potential impact of early smartphone access on child development.
“When you give your child a phone, you need to think of it as something central to the child’s health, and treat it accordingly,” said Dr. Ran Barzilay, lead author of the study and a child and adolescent psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“Let your teenager know that having a smartphone can affect their health, and that you will help them develop healthy phone habits,” Barzilay told CNN.
“Talk together every few weeks about how phone use is going.”
The study was published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Read also: Children with Mobile Phones Often Fare Better Mentally
Norway Leads in Nordic Screen Time
Adding to the concern, Norway consistently reports the highest levels of screen time among adults and children when compared to other Nordic countries.
A recent report from Nordic Monitoring (NORMO 2025) shows Norwegian adults aged 18-24 spend an average of 4.9 hours per day on screens during their leisure time. Older adults spend 3.7 hours.
This trend extends to children and young people. Norwegian children average 3.4 hours of screen time daily, compared to 2.7 hours in Denmark, the Nordic country with the lowest average.
These figures contrast with the Norwegian Directorate of Health’s recommendations for screen time, which suggest a maximum of 1.5 hours per day for children aged six to twelve, and between 1.5 and three hours for those aged 13 to 18.
The report also indicates that only half – 49.5 percent – of Norwegian children meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
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Norwegian Expert: “Quite Disheartening”
Charlotte Lunde is a child psychiatrist and senior physician at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic at Oslo University Hospital.
She believes the study is comprehensive, thorough, and underscores the need for clearer action from authorities.
“The results are quite disheartening, and show that we need an even clearer public health policy in this area – just as we have for smoking,” she wrote to Nettavisen.
Charlotte Lunde, child psychiatrist and senior physician at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic at Oslo University Hospital
Photo: Private
As a result of what Lunde sees as a lack of official recommendations, the Children’s Clinic at OUS and Ahus has created its own screen time guidelines, which are displayed in their clinics.
Read also: New Screen Time Advice Recommends Zero Screen Time for the Youngest Children
The report also shows that only half of young people meet the requirements for physical activity. Is there reason to be concerned about the youngest generations in the country?
– It’s quite obvious that the passivity brought about by digital life takes time away from other – often physical – activities that children used to do. Free outdoor play with each other, for example. Physical activity and play are incredibly important for children and young people’s development. It is central to both mental and physical health. Digital play cannot replace this,” the child psychiatrist emphasized.
