Dr. Ran Barzile

The research team found that 12-year-olds who had a cell phone had a 1.3 times higher risk of depression, a 1.4 times higher risk of obesity, and a 1.6 times higher risk of insufficient sleep as compared to their peers who did not have phones.

Lead study author, Dr. Ran Barzile, told ABC that his motivations for conducting the study were both personal and professional.

I have a nine-year-old who wants a phone, and I think whether to get them a smartphone is a question that's relevant for every parent of a kid going into adolescence, even before adolescence, he told the outlet.

He said after conducting the study that it's a clear decision.

His son is not getting a phone anytime soon.