Study Suggests Smartphones May Benefit Children’s Social Development, But Social Media Use Raises Concerns
A recent survey encompassing over 1,500 children indicates that smartphones could positively influence their mental and social well-being, provided they refrain from excessive social media engagement. The research highlights a nuanced relationship between digital device ownership and adolescent well-being, suggesting potential benefits alongside recognised risks.
Smartphone Ownership and Mental Health
Justin Martin from the University of South Florida conducted a survey of children aged 11 to 13 within the state. This initial phase marks the commencement of a 25-year national study designed to investigate the connection between digital media and overall well-being.
The findings revealed that a significant majority, 78 percent, of the 1,510 children surveyed possessed a smartphone. Of these, 21 percent reported experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, in contrast to 26 percent among those without such devices. Interestingly, children with phones were also more inclined to report increased in-person social interaction with peers.
Counterintuitive Findings on Smartphone Use
“We anticipated that smartphone possession would correlate with adverse outcomes or negative indicators,” Martin stated. “However, this assumption was not supported by the data.”
Socioeconomic Factors in Device Ownership
The research uncovered that children from lower-income families were more likely to own smartphones compared to those from wealthier backgrounds. Notably, the highest rate of smartphone ownership, at 87 percent, was observed in children residing in households earning between $50,000 and $90,000 annually. In comparison, only 67 percent of children in households earning $150,000 or more owned a smartphone.
Parental and School Policies
Martin suggests this disparity may stem from wealthier parents being more attuned to negative media coverage surrounding the perceived dangers of social media on mental health. This could also reflect differing policies in schools. A substantial 58 percent of private schools implemented a complete prohibition on phones, compared to 43 percent of public schools.
However, Martin argues that such blanket bans, like the one implemented in Florida in 2023 (the first US state to do so), might lack strong scientific justification. “We were careful to emphasize associations rather than causation,” Martin clarified, “but children who own smartphones likely utilise them for social engagement, mirroring adult usage patterns.”
The Downsides of Social Media Platforms
Despite the potential benefits of smartphone ownership, the study highlights risks associated with social media usage. Children who reported frequent posting on social media were twice as likely to report experiencing sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression or anxiety compared to those who abstained from these platforms. However, Martin acknowledged that the survey could not ascertain whether increased social media use caused mental health and sleep problems or vice versa.
Recommendations for Parents and Guardians
“We advise parents and guardians to consider discouraging frequent posting on social platforms by their children—or to discourage posting altogether,” Martin recommended. “However, practically, it’s challenging to instruct a child: ‘You can use Instagram and TikTok, but simply refrain from posting.’”
Children’s Perceptions of Social Media
The children participating in the survey held divided views on the value of social media. Thirty-four percent agreed that social media causes more harm than good, 33 percent disagreed, and the remaining participants were undecided.
Expert Commentary
Jess Maddox at the University of Alabama described the study as “fascinating” and praised its “important distinctions, particularly between smartphones and social media.” Maddox stated, “While the two have become synonymous, this research demonstrates that they are, in fact, distinct.”
She further added, “These are genuinely nuanced findings that I hope inspire parents, educators, and politicians to prioritise educating children about smartphones and social media, rather than resorting to bans.”
David Ellis at the University of Bath, UK, confirmed that the research aligns with similar findings from prior studies. However, Ellis emphasized the need for further investigation to fully understand the data before formulating definitive actions regarding children’s smartphone use. “Insufficient analysis renders stronger conclusions to justify policy changes more challenging to support,” Ellis concluded.