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Kids with smartphones at 12 face higher eating disorder risk. A large US study found that adolescents who owned a smartphone at age 12 were significantly more likely to report binge eating, weight-linked self-worth, and other eating disorder symptoms — both at 12 and again at 14. Researchers say parents may need clearer guidance on age-appropriate device access.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that owning a smartphone at age 12 is meaningfully tied to eating disorder symptoms — not just at that age, but two years down the road as well. Researchers tracked nearly 9,000 US adolescents across multiple sites, asking parents about phone ownership and having teens self-report symptoms like binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and tying self-worth to weight.
The findings are striking: nearly 70% of 12-year-olds already owned a smartphone, and those who did showed significantly higher rates of disordered eating behaviors compared to non-owners — a pattern that persisted into age 14.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: As smartphones become near-universal among preteens, this research signals a need for pediatricians and caregivers to have proactive conversations about device access — particularly given the long-term mental health implications tied to early use.
