Researchers say using smartphones on children before this age could be dangerous

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

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Giving a cell phone to a child before the age of 13 can be dangerous, Leading to worse sleep quality, obesity even frustratedaccording to a new study.

The study was published earlier this month in American Academy of Pediatricstested Health effects of such devices on adolescents at the critical moment between childhood and adolescence.

Previously, global concerns about the impact of the epidemic were increasing. The impact of technology and social media on children. Earlier this month, Australia became the first country to ban social mediaincluding TikTok and Instagram, children Under 16 years old.

The AAP study, led by Ran Barzilay, professor of psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, analyzed data from more than 10,500 children at 21 sites across the United States.

Research has found that people who use mobile phones at age 12 have a more than 60% higher risk of poor sleep quality and a more than 40% higher risk of obesity compared to those who use mobile phones at age 13.

A new study finds that children who use mobile phones at age 12 are more than 60% more likely to have poor sleep quality and more than 40% more likely to be obese than those who were 13 years old

A new study finds that children who use mobile phones at age 12 are more than 60% more likely to have poor sleep quality and more than 40% more likely to be obese than those who were 13 years old (Getty Images)

“At age 13, of the 3,486 young people who did not own a home, cell phone After controlling for baseline mental health and sleep, those who purchased a smartphone at age 12 were more likely to report clinical levels of psychopathology and sleep deprivation than those who did not. ” wrote the study’s authors.

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The researchers concluded that smartphone ownership is associated with depression, obesity and sleep deprivation in early adolescence and recommended public policy to protect young people.

“It’s definitely not something you can ignore,” Barzilai told washington post.

Australia has taken the lead in restricting social media across the country, ordering tech giants to ban access to social media from December 10. Malaysia and other countries are reportedly considering similar moves next year.

It comes amid growing global concern about the impact of such technology and social media on children. Earlier this month, Australia became the first country to ban children under 16 from using social media, including TikTok and Instagram

It comes amid growing global concern about the impact of such technology and social media on children. Earlier this month, Australia became the first country to ban children under 16 from using social media, including TikTok and Instagram (Getty Images)

In the United States, several states have passed laws restricting children’s use of social media, including Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee, which require parental consent for teen accounts.

Former Democratic Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel called children’s use of social media a public health crisis and called on lawmakers to follow decisions made in Australia.

However, earlier this month, TikTok signed a deal to sell its U.S. entity in a joint venture controlled by U.S. investors Oracle and Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, allowing the platform to continue to be used in the United States.

The two companies will currently own 45% of the US company, with each holding 15%, while approximately one-third of the shares will be held by affiliates of ByteDance’s existing investors. ByteDance will retain nearly 20% of the shares.

Uk