Smartphones and Eating Disorders: What a New Study of 8,957 Kids Found
Updated: 2 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: September 2026
Smartphones and eating disorders may be more closely linked in early adolescence than many parents realize. A new US study of 8,957 young people, published on September 25, 2026 in JAMA Network Open, found that children who owned a smartphone at age 12 were more likely to report eating disorder symptoms, such as binge eating and tying their self-worth to their weight, by age 14. The study shows a link, not proof that phones cause these problems. (Nagata et al., JAMA Network Open, 2026)
Key takeaways
About 70% of the young people in the study (6,225 of 8,957) owned a smartphone at age 12.
By age 14, 24.2% of smartphone owners reported at least one eating disorder symptom, compared with 15.5% of those who did not own a smartphone at 12.
After accounting for many other factors, owning a smartphone at 12 was linked to about a 49% higher risk of any eating disorder symptom by 14, and about twice the risk of tying self-worth to weight.
This is an observational study, so it cannot prove that smartphones cause eating disorder symptoms. Symptoms were self-reported, not formal diagnoses.
What did the new study on smartphones and eating disorders find?
Researchers found that owning a smartphone at age 12 was associated with more eating disorder symptoms at age 12 and a higher risk of new or continuing symptoms two years later. The strongest links were with binge eating, behaviors to prevent weight gain, and tying self-worth to body weight. (Nagata et al., 2026)
The research team, led by Dr. Jason Nagata at the University of California, San Francisco, used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. The ABCD Study is a large, long-term study of US children, with participants recruited through schools at 21 sites across the country. The team analyzed data collected between 2018 and 2024.
Parents reported whether their child owned a smartphone and at what age they got it. The young people themselves answered questions about four eating disorder symptoms at ages 12 and 14, using a validated clinical interview tool called the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS).
The table below shows how common each symptom was at age 14, and the adjusted risk linked to owning a smartphone at 12.
Symptom at age 14 | Smartphone owners at 12 | Non-owners at 12 | Adjusted risk for owners |
|---|---|---|---|
Binge eating | 9.2% | 6.5% | 1.67 times higher |
Behaviors to prevent weight gain | 20.5% | 12.7% | 1.50 times higher |
Self-worth tied to weight | 7.8% | 3.5% | 2.03 times higher |
Worry about weight gain | 2.3% | 1.6% | No clear difference |
Any eating disorder symptom | 24.2% | 15.5% | 1.49 times higher |
Percentages are weighted population estimates. Adjusted risks account for the other factors listed below, including symptoms already present at age 12. (Nagata et al., 2026)
What counts as an eating disorder symptom in this study?
An eating disorder symptom, in this study, is a single yes-or-no behavior or thought linked to disordered eating. It is not the same as a diagnosed eating disorder. The four symptoms measured were binge eating, behaviors to prevent weight gain, worry about weight gain, and self-worth tied to weight.
According to the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), eating disorders are "serious illnesses marked by severe disturbances in a person's eating behaviors." (NIMH) The study authors note that in the US, full eating disorders affect an estimated 3.4% to 3.8% of adolescent girls and 1.2% to 1.5% of adolescent boys, while milder disordered eating is far more common. (Nagata et al., 2026)
Symptoms below the level of a diagnosis still matter. The authors point out that they can come with real day-to-day problems and a risk of getting worse over time.
Does this prove smartphones cause eating disorders?
No. This study shows an association, not cause and effect. Smartphone ownership was not randomly assigned, and families who give children phones earlier may differ in ways the researchers could not measure. The authors state that "causality cannot be established" and that reverse causation cannot be ruled out. (Nagata et al., 2026)
The researchers did try to account for other explanations. Their analysis adjusted for:
Sex, race, ethnicity, household income and parent education
Attention and depressive symptoms
Puberty stage, body weight and parental monitoring
Ownership of other devices, such as tablets, laptops and smartwatches
For the two-year analysis, eating disorder symptoms already present at age 12
Even so, the study has other limits. Symptoms were self-reported. Owning a phone does not tell us what a child actually did on it or for how long. Factors like bullying or other mental health problems were not included.
Why might smartphones and eating disorders be linked?
Research on smartphones and eating disorders is still developing, and this study did not test the reasons directly. The authors describe several possible pathways. A personal smartphone can give a young teen private, unsupervised access to appearance-focused content during puberty, a period when body image concerns naturally rise. (Nagata et al., 2026)
Other possible pathways the authors describe include:
Social comparison. Seeing edited, filtered images of bodies can lead to body dissatisfaction, a well-known risk factor for eating disorders.
Harmful online communities. Some online spaces openly promote extreme thinness or disordered eating.
Sleep loss. Night-time phone use can disrupt sleep, which may affect hunger signals and emotional control.
Coping through food. Stressful online content may push some young people to use eating to manage difficult feelings.
The study also found that, at age 12, girls who owned a smartphone reported more worry about weight gain than boys, suggesting girls may be especially sensitive to these pressures.
What should parents do about smartphones and eating disorders?
Parents do not need to panic about smartphones and eating disorders, but this study supports thinking carefully about when a child gets a personal phone and how it is used. The authors write that parents "may benefit from guidance around adolescent smartphone ownership, including consideration of age-appropriate limits and supervision of early device access." (Nagata et al., 2026)
Practical steps, based on the study's discussion and pediatric guidance, include:
Think about timing. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages families to delay and individualize smartphone ownership, as noted by the study authors.
Make a family media plan. The AAP Family Media Plan helps families create a personalized plan for how media is used at home. (HealthyChildren.org, AAP)
Keep phones out of bedrooms at night to protect sleep.
Talk openly about what your child sees online, especially content about bodies, dieting and "fitness" trends.
Watch for changes in eating, weight talk or mood, and speak with your child's doctor if you are concerned.
Early help matters. NIMH notes that "early detection and treatment are important for a full recovery." (NIMH)
Frequently asked questions
What age should a child get a smartphone?
This study did not identify a "safe" age. It only compared children who did or did not own a smartphone at 12. The AAP encourages families to delay and individualize smartphone ownership. The right timing depends on your child's maturity, needs and the rules and supervision you put in place.
Is it the phone itself or social media that matters?
The study measured phone ownership only, not what children did on their phones. The authors suggest that social media, appearance-focused content and night-time use may help explain the link, but these pathways were not tested directly. More research is needed to separate the device from the content.
Were boys affected too?
The study included both boys and girls, and the main links were found in the group as a whole. The researchers found a clear difference by sex for only one symptom: at age 12, girls who owned a smartphone reported more worry about weight gain than boys. Girls may be especially sensitive to weight-related pressures.
What are warning signs of an eating disorder in a teenager?
Watch for binge eating, strict dieting or extreme exercise to control weight, strong worry about gaining weight, or a teen judging their worth by their body weight. These were the symptoms measured in this study. If you notice any of them, talk with your child's doctor.
Should I take away my child's phone?
This study does not show that removing a phone reverses symptoms. If you are worried, focus on supervision, sleep-friendly rules, open conversations and a family media plan. If your child already shows signs of disordered eating, contact their doctor for a proper assessment rather than relying on phone rules alone.
Health information, not medical advice. This article explains new research for a general audience. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are worried about your child's eating, weight or mood, please speak with a qualified health professional.
Sources
Nagata JM, Wong JH, Talebloo J, et al. Smartphone Ownership and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Early Adolescence. JAMA Network Open. 2026;9(9):e2637897. Published September 25, 2026.
National Institute of Mental Health. Eating Disorders.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Family Media Plan.
About the author: Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD, is a medical doctor and the founder of Rinnit. Dr. Baraa Alnahhal reviews new medical research and translates it into clear, evidence-based health information for everyday readers.
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