Smartphone Ownership Linked to Eating Disorder Symptoms
Young teens with personal phones showed higher rates of disordered eating two years later in a new study.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Pre-Teens
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Do you believe children are negatively impacted by early access to smartphones and social media?
A recent study found that children who owned a smartphone at age 12 were more likely to report eating disorder symptoms by age 14. This research suggests a potential connection between early device access and body image concerns during adolescence.
Why it matters
The findings highlight how digital environments may influence developing self-worth and weight-management behaviors in pre-teens. Understanding this link is critical for parents navigating the age at which to provide children with personal mobile devices.
In a cohort study of nearly 9,000 adolescents published in JAMA Network Open, 24% of 12-year-old smartphone owners reported eating disorder symptoms by age 14, compared to less than 16% of their peers without phones. The research analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.
The players
JAMA Network Open
A peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes research on clinical health and medical care.
Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study
A large-scale long-term research program investigating adolescent brain and behavioral development.
The details
The study suggests that smartphones provide consistent access to appearance-focused content that can negatively impact body image. Children with smartphones were twice as likely to tie their self-worth to their weight and 1.5 times more likely to control weight through dieting or exercise compared to non-owners. Nearly two-thirds of 11- and 12-year-olds in the survey maintained accounts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Timeline
Age 12: Baseline assessment of smartphone ownership.
Age 14: Follow-up assessment for eating disorder symptoms.
Friday, September 2026: The research study was published.
Health Landscape
This research builds upon the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study to quantify how digital exposure affects youth health. It highlights a critical intersection between common adolescent technology use and the rising incidence of disordered eating.
Parents concerned about the digital habits of young teens should monitor for changes in their child's relationship with diet, exercise, or self-worth. It is worth discussing with your pediatrician how to guide healthy technology use and support positive body image at home.
The takeaway
Early access to smartphones appears to correlate with an increased risk of developing eating disorder symptoms by age 14. Parents can help by maintaining open conversations about how social media and online content may impact a child's perception of weight and self-esteem.
Further reading
For more on managing digital health in early adolescence, visit our Pre-Teens section.
Live Poll
Do you believe children are negatively impacted by early access to smartphones and social media?
