Introduction:

A new global study is raising serious concerns about giving young children smartphones. According to the research, kids who start using smartphones before age 13 may face long-term mental health challenges. The study links early smartphone use to problems like low self-worth, poor emotional control, and even suicidal thoughts—especially among girls.

The research involved nearly 2 million people across 163 countries and is now sparking fresh debate about what age is too young for smartphones and social media. Here’s what parents need to know.

What the Study Found

The study, published in the Journal of the Human Development and Capabilities, found that the younger a child is when they get their first smartphone, the more likely they are to struggle with mental health later on.

The lead author, Tara Thiagarajan, says the findings show “urgent action” is needed to limit smartphone and social media use in children under 13. Thiagarajan is the founder and chief scientist at Sapien Labs, the nonprofit behind the research.

The data was based on self-reports from millions of people worldwide. It showed that early smartphone users were more likely to experience:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Difficulty controlling emotions
• Lower self-worth
• Feeling disconnected from reality

These problems were even more common in girls than in boys.

Why It’s a Big Deal

This research builds on past studies linking smartphone use to anxiety and depression. But this one goes further by focusing on emotional regulation and self-esteem—areas not always studied in tech-related mental health research.

The results suggest that early exposure to smartphones opens the door to risks like:

• Poor sleep
• Cyberbullying
• More time on social media
• Weaker family connections

“These experiences can deeply affect how kids see themselves and manage their emotions,” said Thiagarajan.

Social Media: Wait Until 16?

Some experts suggest going even further—not just delaying smartphones, but also holding off on social media access until age 16.

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, also recommends keeping kids off social apps during their early teen years. He points to research from the UK showing that social media use during puberty can lead to lower life satisfaction a year later.

Many parents are on board but feel stuck. They’re often worried their kids will miss out socially if their peers are already online.

The Power of Parent Groups

One way parents are tackling this issue is by teaming up. Organizations like Wait Until 8th offer a pledge that encourages parents to delay smartphones until at least the end of 8th grade. When parents take the pledge together, it becomes easier to resist pressure.

Melissa Greenberg, a clinical psychologist at the Princeton Psychotherapy Center, says community support is key.

“Even if no one’s talking about it yet, starting the conversation can bring a lot of relief,” she said.

Parents can also look for schools with strong smartphone policies or encourage their children’s schools to create better rules.

Policy Matters, Too

Still, experts say this isn’t a problem families can solve alone.

Thiagarajan points out that even if one child doesn’t have a phone, they’re still exposed to apps on the bus, during after-school activities, or at a friend’s house. That’s why broader solutions—like regulations on digital environments—are needed.

“Parents should also speak up in public debates about technology and kids,” she said.

If Your Child Already Has a Smartphone

If your child already uses a smartphone or social media, don’t panic.

“Just because you gave your child a phone doesn’t mean it’s too late to make a change,” said Greenberg.

She suggests parents look out for signs like:

• Anxiety
• Low self-worth
• Emotional outbursts

If you’re worried, start a calm, honest conversation. Let your child know that some kids struggle with these things—and that help is available if they ever need it.

You can also consider changes like:

• Switching to a flip phone
• Using parental controls
• Deleting certain apps or features

Greenberg recommends saying something like:
“When we first gave you a smartphone, we didn’t know all the research. Now we know more, and we want to make a few changes because we care about your health.”

If your child resists, try to stay understanding.
“Even adults have a hard time giving up their phones,” she said. “It’s normal for kids to feel upset at first.”

Talk About Your Own Tech Habits

One way to connect with your child is by being honest about your own smartphone use. Share how hard it is to unplug—and how you’re trying to do better. This helps kids see that managing screen time is a challenge for everyone, not just them.

What Parents Can Do Right Now

If your child doesn’t yet have a smartphone, this could be the perfect time to hold off. Start talking with other parents in your community to set shared expectations about when kids should get phones or join social media.

Delaying smartphone use isn’t just about saying “no.” It’s about giving your child more time to grow emotionally before navigating the complex digital world.

As Thiagarajan put it, “We need to create healthier digital environments for our children—starting with when and how they enter them.”

Bottom line:
Smartphones and social media can have serious effects on young children’s mental health. New research shows it’s worth waiting—and worth talking about as a community.

Source: CNN – Don’t give children under age 13 smartphones, new research says

The post Why Experts Say Kids Under 13 Shouldn’t Use Smartphones: New Global Study Warns of Mental Health Risks appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

A heartbreaking new lawsuit has emerged, accusing an AI chatbot of encouraging a 14-year-old boy to take his own life. In the final moments before Sewell Setzer III’s tragic death, he reached out to the chatbot, which he had grown deeply attached to, in what his mother claims was an emotionally abusive relationship that ultimately led to his suicide.

Sewell Setzer III’s interactions with the Character.AI chatbot, named after Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, are at the center of a wrongful death lawsuit filed this week by his mother, Megan Garcia. According to the lawsuit, Sewell had become increasingly isolated, choosing to engage with the chatbot over real-world interactions, especially as his conversations turned more personal and troubling.

In his final messages, Sewell told the bot, “I promise I will come home to you. I love you so much, Dany.” The chatbot responded, “I love you too. Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love.” As the exchange continued, Sewell asked, “What if I told you I could come home right now?” The bot’s response? “Please do, my sweet king.”

Just moments later, Sewell shot himself, according to the lawsuit.

Character.AI, the company behind the chatbot, is now facing serious accusations from Garcia’s legal team. The lawsuit alleges that the app’s creators engineered a dangerously addictive platform designed to exploit vulnerable children, pulling Sewell into an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship. Garcia’s attorneys believe that if Sewell had not interacted with the chatbot, he would still be alive today.

“Character.AI is a product specifically designed for kids, and it’s leading them into harmful, abusive relationships,” said Matthew Bergman, the attorney representing Garcia. “We believe this company is directly responsible for Sewell’s death.”

Character.AI allows users to create customizable chatbots, designed to be lifelike and highly interactive. The company’s app has been marketed as an innovative technology offering “super intelligent and life-like chatbots” that “hear you, understand you, and remember you.”

In response to the lawsuit, Character.AI has not commented publicly on the case but did announce updates aimed at improving user safety. In a blog post, the company revealed plans to implement stricter guidelines for users under 18 to reduce exposure to sensitive content. They also stated that they were working quickly to develop a “safer experience” for younger users.

In addition to Character.AI, Google and its parent company Alphabet have been named as defendants in the case. The lawsuit alleges that Google played a significant role in accelerating the development of Character.AI after striking a $2.7 billion deal with the company in August. Google has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Experts warn that Sewell’s case is part of a larger trend of growing risks associated with AI chatbots, particularly for young people. Children’s brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to unhealthy attachments to AI companions. As with social media, these digital interactions can lead to issues with impulse control, understanding the consequences of actions, and navigating emotionally intense relationships.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, has previously sounded alarms about the mental health crisis among youth, noting that isolation and disconnection are significant contributors to the rise in suicide rates. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among children aged 10 to 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

James Steyer, founder of Common Sense Media, emphasized the profound dangers posed by unregulated AI chatbot companions. “This lawsuit underscores the severe harm that generative AI chatbots can have on young people’s lives when there are no guardrails in place,” Steyer said. “Kids’ overreliance on AI can impact everything from grades and friendships to mental health, with tragic consequences like this one.”

As this case highlights, the risks associated with AI chatbots go far beyond just entertainment. Steyer urges parents to take a proactive role in monitoring their children’s digital interactions and to openly discuss the potential dangers of AI companions. “Chatbots are not licensed therapists or best friends, even though they are marketed as such. Parents should be cautious about allowing their children to place too much trust in them.”

For Garcia, the pain of losing her son is compounded by the belief that a technology designed to mimic human connection played a central role in his death. Her hope now is that this lawsuit will serve as a wake-up call for parents everywhere to take greater control over how their children interact with technology.

Warning signs of suicide

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or have concerns about someone else who may be, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to a local crisis center where professionals can talk you through a risk assessment and provide resources in your community. The more of the below signs that a person shows, the greater the risk of suicide.

• Talking about wanting to die
• Looking for a way to kill oneself
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings

Source: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Source: AP News – An AI chatbot pushed a teen to kill himself, a lawsuit against its creator alleges

The post Lawsuit Claims AI Chatbot Encouraged Teen’s Suicide appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.