PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - As parents shop for holiday gifts, smartphones are once again at the top of many kids’ wish lists. However, a new study supports the view of a Central Illinois psychologist that the age kids get their first phone may have a bigger impact on their health than we realize.

A nationwide study by PubMed followed more than 10,000 kids and found that 12-year-olds with smartphones were more likely to struggle with depression, obesity, and especially sleep. The earlier kids got a phone, the worse the outcome, the study said.

Sleep disruption starts early

Dr. Kyle Boerke, Director of Behavioral Health for OSF Ambulatory Services, said lack of sleep starts young.

“What winds up happening is we are looking at very emotionally charged content right before we’re supposed t

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