Kathy Krueger, M.A., LMFT Marriage & Family Therapist

01/30/2026

01/30/2026

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Studies in psychology and child development show that children who get smartphones before age 13 face higher risks to their mental health, and the effects are especially strong for young girls. Research across multiple psychological disciplines links early smartphone use with increased anxiety, lower self esteem, disrupted sleep, and higher rates of depression in pr***en children.

From a developmental psychology perspective, the pr***en years are critical for building self identity, emotion regulation, and social skills. Introducing smartphones too early can interfere with these processes because screens provide constant social comparison, instant feedback loops, and unfiltered access to social media. Young girls, in particular, are more likely to encounter body image pressures, cyberbullying, and social validation cycles online, which can amplify stress and emotional vulnerability.

Smartphones also change how children spend their time. Time that could be spent in active play, face-to-face interaction, or creative exploration gets replaced with scrolling, streaming, and online chatting. This shift can reduce opportunities for healthy social development and emotional resilience. Sleep disruption from late night use further contributes to cognitive and emotional strain.

Psychologists emphasize that it is not the device itself that causes harm but the way early and unsupervised use shapes thinking patterns and emotional responses. Setting age appropriate boundaries, promoting offline activities, and encouraging guided tech use can reduce risks and help children develop healthier relationships with technology.

01/28/2026

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Many people are turning to group admin nights to finally check administrative tasks off their to-do lists. https://cnn.it/4q0TCrk

01/27/2026

Older accounts didn’t even require beneficiaries; check who you have designated on all your accounts.