Early Smartphone Use Linked To Suicidal Thoughts, Aggression In Youth: Study
Children who own a smartphone before the age of 13 are more likely to experience poorer mental health and well-being in early adulthood, according to a global study of more than 100,000 young people released on Monday.
The study, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, found that 18- to 24-year-olds who had received their first smartphone at age 12 or younger were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, poorer emotional regulation, and low self-worth.
Smartphones give early social media access and increase the risks of cyberbullying, disrupted sleep, and poor family relationships by adulthood, the team said.
"Our data indicates that early smartphone ownership -- and the social media access it often brings -- is linked with a profound shift in mental health and well-being in early adulthood," said lead author neuroscientist Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, the founder and Chief Scientist of US-based Sapien Labs.
Thiagarajan called for urgent action to protect the mental health of future generations, as their symptoms are not the traditional depression and anxiety, and can be missed by studies using standard screening procedures.
The researchers urged policymakers to adopt a precautionary approach, similar to regulations on alcohol and tobacco, by restricting smartphone access for under-13s. They also called for mandating digital literacy education and enforcing corporate accountability.
In recent years, several countries have banned or restricted the use of cell phones in institutions, including France, the Netherlands, Italy, and New Zealand. Several states in the US have also passed legislation requiring schools to have policies that at least limit access to smartphones for children.
For the study, the team at Sapiens mapped the data on 100,000 young adults using the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) -- a self-assessment tool that measures social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being -- to generate an overall mental health score.
Young adults who received their first smartphone before age 13 had lower MHQ scores, with scores progressively declining the younger the age of first ownership.
Younger ownership was also linked with diminished self-image, self-worth, and confidence, and emotional resilience among females, and lower stability, calmness, self-worth, and empathy among males.
"Our evidence suggests that childhood smartphone ownership, an early gateway into AI-powered digital environments, is profoundly diminishing mental health and well-being in adulthood, with deep consequences for individual agency and societal flourishing," Thiagarajan said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
4 gut-friendly foods every woman should add to her diet
Dr. Saurabh Sethi recommends incorporating specific foods into your diet to enhance gut health, particularly beneficial for women's hormone balance, immunity, and mood. Leafy greens, blueberries, fermented foods like homemade yogurt and kefir, and pumpkin seeds are highlighted for their magnesium, fiber, antioxidants, probiotics, zinc, and digestive benefits. These choices support a healthy gut microbiome and overall well-being. Gut health is crucial for overall well-being. When it comes to women, it is even more crucial, as gut health is intricately tied to hormones, immunity, and mood. Keeping the gut happy and healthy is the first step towards a healthy lifestyle. But how does one keep the gut in top shape? Good diet. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist, has shared a list of foods that one can add to the diet to boost gut health. Leafy greens Mums are never wrong. They have been telling us to eat greens since childhood. Well, its time to finally listen to them. Greens, especially leafy greens, are good for health. Dr. Sethi noted that magnesium and fiber are two essential nutrients for gut health. Magnesium helps to relax the intestinal muscles and aids in regular bowel movement. It also reduces cramping in women. Fiber, on the other hand, is fuel for beneficial gut bacteria. It also bulks up the stool and prevents constipation. You can add leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard to your daily routine. They can be sautéed with other veggies or added to smoothies. Blueberries Who knew boosting gut health could be a delectable habit! Blueberries make your gut happy and healthy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo These berries are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which prevent inflammation and nourish gut bacteria. The polyphenols also support brain health, by improving mood and cognitive function. You can have blueberries as a snack o, or toss them into yogurt for a creamy treat. Fermented foods Fermented foods such as yogurt, and, kefir are loaded with probiotics, which foster the healthy gut microbiome. However, it is important to go for home-made fermented foods. Because the store-bought foods are often loaded with preservatives, which kill their protective effects. Dr. Sethi also added that fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir are also good for women, as they support the vaginal microbiome and reduce the risk of infections like yeast overgrowth. Also, ensure to choose unsweetened, plain yogurt or kefir. Excessive sugar can disrupt the beneficial gut microbiome. You can add yogurts for smoothies or have it as a side during meals. 5 Seeds that can help in quick weight loss Pumpkin seeds Pumpkin seeds are a nutritious addition to your diet. They are rich in zinc and fiber, which support immune and digestive health. Zinc helps to maintain a healthy gut lining, which prevents issues like leaky gut syndrome. The fiber in pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, promotes digestion. You can add them to your breakfast, or sprinkle them on salads, blend them into smoothies, or even enjoy them roasted as a snack.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"Far Below Survival Needs": WHO Chief On Gaza's 'Mass Starvation'
The World Health Organization's chief warned Wednesday of widespread starvation in Gaza, saying food deliveries into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory were "far below what is needed for the survival of the population". "A large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation -- and it's man-made," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. His statement added his voice to those of 111 aid organisations and rights groups, including MSF and Oxfam, who warned earlier Wednesday that "mass starvation" was spreading in Gaza. "Our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away," they said in a joint statement. Israel is facing mounting international pressure over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where more than two million people are facing severe shortages of food and other essentials after 21 months of conflict. Even after Israel began easing a more than two-month aid blockade in late May, Gaza's population is still suffering extreme scarcities. "The 2.1 million people trapped in the war zone that is Gaza are facing yet another killer on top of bombs and bullets: starvation," Tedros said. "We are now witnessing a deadly surge in malnutrition-related deaths," he added. Children Starvind To Death Tedros highlighted that "rates of global acute malnutrition exceed 10 percent, and over 20 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women that have been screened are malnourished, often severely". The UN health agency has documented 21 deaths in Gaza related to malnutrition of children under the age of five since the beginning of the year, but acknowledges that that the true number is likely higher. The head of Gaza's largest hospital said Tuesday that 21 children had died due to malnutrition and starvation in the Palestinian territory over the previous three days alone. Tedros warned that "the hunger crisis is being accelerated by the collapse of aid pipelines and restrictions on access". The starvation is "man-made" and clearly caused by Israel's blockade on the territory, he said. The WHO chief highlighted how starving people were risking their lives to access aid. The UN rights office said Tuesday that Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food aid in Gaza since the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started operations in late May. "Not only 1,026 were killed while trying to feed themselves or find food for their family. Thousands were also wounded," Tedros said. "We demand that there is full access, and we demand that there is a ceasefire," he said. "We demand that there is a political solution to this problem, a lasting solution."
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Potential US tariff a significant 'unknown' for business, says Dr Reddy's Lab CEO
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories is closely monitoring a potential US tariff on the pharma sector, viewing it as both a risk and opportunity. The company plans a significant expansion with the generic version of semaglutide across 87 countries by 2026, alongside developing 26 GLP-1 products over the next decade. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A potential US tariff on the pharma sector is a significant 'unknown' and will be one of the key developments for Dr Reddy's Laboratories to watch over the next few quarters, its chief executive officer, Erez Israeli , told ET.'Don't know whether to call it a risk, but it is an unknown that could develop into a risk, and that is the tariff. We will know better as time will come about what it means and what we can do,' Israeli said over an earning call on Wednesday. 'It's not necessarily bad, it can also create an opportunity. It very much depends on what will be our relative situation to Chinese players or others.'The Hyderabad-based drug maker, which announced its first-quarter earnings, is betting big on generic version of Novo Nordisk 's weight loss molecule semaglutide – that it plans to launch in 87 countries in 2026 - as a future growth driver.'Our levers for the future consist of double-digit growth of the main business and then on top of it the success of semaglutide, which is very important to us, business development and our ability to optimise our resources,' Israeli said in response to ET's query.'We are planning to launch semaglutide in 87 countries as the patent in the relevant country will allow us… We have some countries where there is no active patent as we speak, and in those we can launch. In the other countries, we need to wait for the patent expiration - for example Brazil or India - in which the patent goes on till March 2026. We are absolutely ready to launch on day 1 (post patent expiry) in each one of these markets,' he company which is among the frontrunners for GLP-1 drugs is looking at launching 26 other products in the space over the next decade.'We have 26 products (all peptides) in the GLP1 pipeline and will be launched over the next decade, according to the patent situation,' said Wednesday, the company reported consolidated revenue for the first quarter at Rs 8,545 crore, an 11% increase from a year ago, mainly on account of contributions from its acquired consumer healthcare portfolio in nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and sustained performance in branded markets. Net profit for the quarter stood at Rs 1,418 crore, up 2% said an ongoing litigation over semaglutide with innovator company Novo Nordisk in India is not likely to hamper its planned product company's global generics revenue in Q1FY26 stood at Rs 7,562 crore, a growth of 10% revenue from North America–one of its key markets–declined 11% y-o-y to Rs 3,412 crore due to increased price erosion in select products, including lenalidomide. Its Europe revenue stood at Rs 1,274 crore, up 142% on account of NRT portfolio company's India and emerging markets business grew 11% and 17% company's EBITDA margin for the first quarter stood at 26.7%.
