Smartphone ownership at age 12 linked to adolescent eating disorder symptoms

A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that owning a personal smartphone by age 12 is associated with an increased risk of developing eating disorder symptoms by age 14. The research, part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, tracked 8,957 adolescents in the United States.

Findings indicated that approximately 70% of the participants owned a smartphone at age 12. By age 14, those with early smartphone access showed a 49% higher risk of reporting eating disorder symptoms, including binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. Notably, the study found that adolescents with smartphones at age 12 were twice as likely to link their self-worth to their body weight.

Dr. Jason Nagata, a lead author and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that smartphones provide constant access to appearance-focused content. While the study identifies a strong association, researchers cautioned that it does not prove direct causation, as other factors such as family environment, social experiences, and mental health may also play significant roles.