A recent study from the United States has revealed that children who own smartphones by the age of twelve may experience increased symptoms of eating disorders. This research, which could be relevant for Indian parents, indicates a correlation between early smartphone ownership and issues such as binge-eating and associating self-worth with weight. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and were derived from a cohort analysis involving 8,957 adolescents participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

The study was conducted across 21 sites in the United States, with schools selected through a stratified, probability-based sampling method. To minimise sampling bias, the research oversampled participants based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and urbanity. The percentages were weighted using data from the American Community Survey to ensure they accurately represent population estimates.

Researchers conducted both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses on data collected from years two to six of the study, spanning from 2018 to 2024. The data analysis occurred in 2025 and 2026, revealing that 70 per cent of participants owned a smartphone by the age of twelve. This ownership was linked to a higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms associated with eating disorders, which can lead to serious long-term physical, mental, and metabolic health issues.

Implications for Indian Context

The situation in India appears to be similar, although there is currently no government-supported data regarding mobile phone ownership among children. A study conducted by McAfee in 2022 indicated that smartphone usage among children aged ten to fourteen in India was 83 per cent, which is 7 per cent higher than the global average of 76 per cent for the same age group. This suggests that Indian children are also experiencing early exposure to smartphones.

Experts have highlighted the importance of both the scale and timing of smartphone ownership. With seven out of ten children in the United States owning a phone by the age of twelve, even a minor increase in risk could affect a significant number of young individuals. Early adolescence is a critical period marked by rapid physical changes and a heightened sensitivity to peer approval, making it a time when perceptions of body image and food habits are formed.

The longitudinal aspect of the study raises additional concerns, suggesting that the association between smartphone ownership and eating disorder symptoms is not merely a temporary phenomenon but persists over time. Although the study is observational and does not establish causation, it highlights the need to consider the timing of smartphone ownership as a potential risk factor.

Understanding the Mechanism Behind the Findings

Experts suggest that the impact of smartphones is more about the content accessed rather than the devices themselves. Dr Priyanka Mittal from the India Mental Health Alliance notes that social media influences perceptions of desirability and normalcy. The constant availability of curated content can alter everyday behaviours, including eating habits.

Exposure to idealised body images, diet trends, and unrealistic standards of appearance can negatively affect how adolescents view their bodies and their eating practices. Many young individuals may develop body-image anxiety, which can lead to the onset of eating disorders. This highlights the need for parents and guardians to be vigilant about the content their children consume online.

Experts advise that parents should focus on the nature of the content rather than just the amount of screen time. Sweta Bothra, director of psychology services at Amaha, emphasises the importance of understanding what children are watching and how it impacts their feelings. Persistent issues related to food avoidance, binge-eating, or anxiety about weight should be addressed with professional support rather than criticism, as negative reinforcement can exacerbate these problems.

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