Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 7: A growing number of experts, parents, and even children themselves are expressing deep concern over the rapid surge in smartphone use among young people. Reflecting on a childhood spent without constant digital influence, many say that life before smartphones offered independence, creativity, and stronger real-world social connections.

Today, the contrast is stark. According to Pew Research Center data, 95% of teenagers now have access to a smartphone, and nearly half say they are online “almost constantly” — a figure that has nearly doubled over the past decade. Popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat dominate most of this screen time.

Last year, the US Surgeon General suggested warning labels on social media platforms — similar to those on cigarettes and alcohol — highlighting their risks to young users. Australia has moved a step further, announcing a ban on social media access for children under 16. Renowned psychologist Jonathan Haidt, in his book The Anxious Generation, calls for urgent reforms to protect youth mental health in the era of hyper-connectivity.

What alarms experts even more is the age at which children are receiving devices. More than half of children own a smartphone by age 11, and some receive one as early as four years old.
Health impact: New research raises red flag

A recent study involving more than 10,000 children has drawn a troubling connection between early smartphone ownership and rising cases of depression, obesity, and poor sleep among pre-teens.

The authors concluded that the youngest users face the highest risks, with the critical developmental years between 10 and 25 being most affected by online pressures, disrupted sleep patterns, and reduced physical activity.

While some experts argue that direct causation remains complex, the evidence strongly encourages parents to delay smartphone access — not simply give in to peer pressure or trends.
Researchers advise parents to:

• Establish firm controls and screen-time limits

• Avoid smartphones until children are mature enough to handle risks

• Prioritise real-world friendships, activities and responsibilities

Schools and personal habits under scanner

Studies also indicate negative academic effects, with even college students performing better when their phones are removed during class. If this is the impact on adults, concerns naturally intensify for younger school-going children.

Many advocates are campaigning for:

• Phone-free schools

• No smartphones before high school

• No social media before age 16

• More free play and community-based social development

A parenting approach rooted in discipline and compassion

Faith-based family counsellors say that parenting in the digital age calls for a combination of firm boundaries and compassionate guidance — similar to biblical principles on responsibility and discipline.

Parents are urged to:

• Set clear rules on phone use

• Model healthy habits — screens included

• Stay actively involved in their children’s digital lives

• Make decisions based on wisdom, not social pressure

Ultimately, families are encouraged to pause and reflect:

Are smartphones serving as tools for growth — or obstacles to a healthy, confident, and connected childhood?

As the debate continues worldwide, one truth is becoming increasingly evident — delaying smartphones may be one of the greatest gifts parents can offer their children today.