Global Study Finds Early Smartphone Use Causes Significant Mental Health Decline in Young Women

A recent comprehensive international study by the Global Mind Project has uncovered a concerning correlation between early smartphone use and significant declines in mental health among young adults. The research indicates that children who receive their first smartphone at ages as young as five or six are disproportionately experiencing mental health challenges, with nearly half of these young women reporting suicidal thoughts. Published in the July edition of the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, the study analyzed data from over 100,000 individuals aged 18 to 24 across 163 countries—primarily members of Generation Z, who have grown up immersed in digital technology from an early age. Led by neuroscientist Dr. Tara Thiagarajan of Sapien Labs, the project examined data from roughly two million people worldwide to assess how early exposure to smartphones and social media impacts emotional, social, and cognitive development over time. Findings reveal a consistent pattern: the younger a child is when they first access a smartphone, the more severe their mental health issues tend to be in young adulthood. Alarmingly, 46% of young women who received their first device at...