Smartphone ownership at age 12 linked to adolescent eating disorder risks

A study published in JAMA Network Open, involving nearly 9,000 adolescents across 21 research centers in the United States, has identified a correlation between owning a personal smartphone at age 12 and an increased risk of eating disorder symptoms.

Researchers found that approximately 69.5% of the 12-year-olds in the study owned a smartphone. Those with devices showed a 36% higher probability of reporting at least one eating disorder symptom at age 12. By age 14, these individuals had a 67% higher likelihood of experiencing binge eating symptoms and a 50% higher likelihood of adopting unhealthy dietary behaviors, such as excessive exercise or using substances to induce vomiting.

The study also noted that adolescents with smartphones at age 12 were twice as likely to link their self-esteem to their weight. While the research indicates a strong correlation, experts emphasize that it does not prove direct causation. The findings suggest that early digital exposure, particularly through social media platforms that promote specific body standards and dietary habits, may increase vulnerability during critical stages of adolescent development.