Smartphone Acquisition at Age 13 and Its Impact on Adolescent Depression, Obesity, and Sleep: A Cohort Evidence Synthesis

Highlights

• Smartphone acquisition at 13 years is linked to insufficient sleep at 14 years but not significantly to depression or obesity.
• Higher smartphone use duration among adolescents with smartphones increases risk for depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep.
• Behavioral interventions such as limiting smartphone time and removing devices from bedrooms at night significantly reduce sleep insufficiency risk.
• Findings inform caregiver guidelines and public health policy, supporting delayed smartphone acquisition and moderated use.

Background