Children who receive their first smartphone before the age of 13 are significantly more likely to face long-term mental health struggles, according to new global research.

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The study, which analyzed data from more than 100,000 young people worldwide, links early smartphone ownership to suicidal thoughts, aggression, and detachment from reality, hallucinations, poor self-worth, and weakened emotional regulation.

Published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, the research is based on Sapien Labs’ Global Mind Project, the world’s largest database on mental wellbeing.

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Findings show that 18- to 24-year-olds who had smartphones at age 12 or younger were far more likely to report severe psychological symptoms.

Using the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) tool, researchers found scores fell suddenly the earlier a child acquired a device, from an average of 30 at age 13 to 1 for those given one at age five.

The study identifies early social media access as the single biggest driver of poor outcomes, explaining about 40% of the link, followed by disrupted family relationships (13%), disturbed sleep (12%), and cyberbullying (10%).

Girls who received smartphones earlier were more likely to struggle with self-worth, body image, and emotional stability, while boys reported less confidence, lower empathy, and poorer self-image.

Lead author Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, founder and Chief Scientist of Sapien Labs, said the findings suggest symptoms go beyond depression and anxiety, extending to aggression, suicidal thoughts, and detachment that traditional screeners (standard tests) often miss.

With the average age of first ownership now below 13 globally, she called for urgent policy action similar to regulations on alcohol and tobacco.

The researchers recommend four measures; mandatory digital literacy and mental health education, strict enforcement of social media age rules with accountability for tech companies, restrictions on children’s access to platforms, and progressive limits on smartphone use.

Several countries including France, the Netherlands, Italy, and New Zealand have restricted phones in schools, with New York recently joining a number of U.S. states adopting bans to improve student focus.

In an interview with The New Times, Dr. Darius Gishoma, the Division Manager for Mental Health at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), said Rwanda has yet to generate comprehensive national data linking smartphone use to mental health concerns among children and adolescents, though evidence from other parts of the world shows serious risks.

"For Rwanda, we don’t have specific data on this, but clinical experience shows screen overuse often appears as an associated problem when young people present with issues such as alcohol addiction, depression, or gambling,” he explained.

He added that most research identifies several categories of children, those below five, those between five and 12, and adolescents, who face high risks from screen exposure. Among the most commonly reported effects is disruption of natural sleep cycles.

"Children spending long hours on screens sleep less, and poor sleep impacts cognitive function,” he said.

Dr. Gishoma added that excessive screen use interferes with social interaction as children who spend too much time on screens tend to interact less with their peers or parents.

He added that high usage leads to hyperarousal (heightened alertness), concentration difficulties, negative emotions, and conduct problems, noting that there are so many studies showing the negative impact on social interaction, cognitive function, emotional stability, and behavioral issues.

While clinical consultations rarely refer to screen addiction as the leading cause, he noted it frequently emerges during assessments.

"It is not often the main complaint, but we discover it is associated once we dig deeper into the person’s problems,” he said.

He cautioned that excessive screen use is linked to sedentary lifestyles such as prolonged sitting, binge-watching videos, and spending hours on social media, which may increase the risk of obesity and other physical health problems.

When asked about strategies to address smartphone-related mental health risks in Rwanda, Gishoma said the country is focusing on three main approaches: public awareness campaigns, school-based interventions, and treatment for severe cases, noting that general awareness of these risks already exists, partly due to media discussions.

"We also have the school-based mental health program, introduced four years ago, which addresses risky behaviours in schools, including excessive screen use. And when there is real screen addiction, treatment services are available.”

On age-appropriate smartphone use, the mental health expert mentioned the role of parents, noting that experts recommend no screen time for children under two or three years, and no more than one hour per day for older children.

While these guidelines can be adapted to Rwanda, the primary responsibility for managing usage according to age lies with parents, he added.

Dr. Gishoma said young people are more vulnerable to cyberbullying and unhealthy comparisons on social media. He explained that harsh feedback about appearance or lifestyle can harm their emotional wellbeing, and that social media often blurs the line between private and public life.

"The school-based mental health program, which began in 2020, is already operational in 17 of 30 districts, including Karongi, Bugesera, and Gicumbi. In these schools, we try to have both a male and female counselor, who help with awareness, screening, and linking children with challenges to care. The program is being scaled up progressively to reach all districts,” he said.