26/05/2026
Pope Leo XIV warns against early smartphone use among children in first encyclical.
Pope Leo XIV warned of the dangers posed by early and unsupervised smartphone use among children, saying digital devices can expose minors to addiction, cyberbullying, exploitation, and harmful online content.
In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, released Monday, the pontiff cited growing psychological and psychiatric research showing that prolonged exposure to digital devices and social media can negatively affect children's sleep, attention span, emotional regulation, and relationships. He also cautioned against easy access to violent, degrading, pornographic, and hypersexualized content online.
โHaving a personal mobile device at too early an age and using it without adult supervision can exacerbate young peopleโs vulnerabilities, foster addiction and expose them to isolation, bullying and cyberbullying,โ the Pope wrote. He also warned of online threats such as grooming, blackmail, sexual exploitation, and the misuse of artificial intelligence to manipulate images and videos.
The Pope said protecting children in the digital age cannot be left to parents alone, noting that technology companies profit from usersโ attention and screen time. He called for an โallianceโ among governments, schools, and families to safeguard minors through stronger regulations, age restrictions, and accountability measures for online platforms.
Leo XIV also stressed the importance of teaching young people to recognize manipulation online, defend their dignity, and use technology responsibly. While acknowledging the benefits of digital innovation and artificial intelligence, he urged educators and families to help children develop critical thinking and maintain meaningful human relationships beyond screens.