Screen use delays sleep time for adolescents, study finds
Adolescents who spend time on screen devices to communicate with friends experience delayed sleep, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The research, conducted by Pennsylvania State University, involved 475 participants who provided daily survey and sleep data over a week. The study found that for every hour adolescents used screen devices for communication, they fell asleep an average of 11 minutes later. The impact was even greater for those who used screens in the hour before bed, losing approximately 30 minutes of sleep. The researchers recommend limiting interactive screen use before bedtime to support healthy sleep patterns in adolescents.
The study subjects spent an average of 2 hours per day communicating with friends via screen devices, such as email, instant messaging, texting, and social media. In addition, they spent about 1.3 hours per day playing video games, less than 1 hour per day surfing the internet, and approximately 1.7 hours per day watching television or videos.
David A. Reichenberger, a postdoctoral scholar at Pennsylvania State University, highlighted the importance of accurate sleep measurement: When the participant is least active, we can infer that they are likely asleep… It’s more accurate than asking them how many hours they slept.
The researchers found that the use of screens for communication and video games had the most significant impact on sleep duration. For each hour spent on screen devices for communication, adolescents fell asleep approximately 11 minutes later on average. Similarly, for each hour spent playing video games, they fell asleep about 9 minutes later. The study found that those who engaged with screens in the hour before bed experienced the most significant sleep loss, around 30 minutes.
Limited sleep can have various negative effects on adolescents, including obesity, impaired cognition, emotional regulation issues, and mental health problems. For a child, losing 15 minutes of sleep at night is significant. It’s especially difficult when they have to get up in the morning for school, noted Reichenberger.
The study did not find a significant association between passive screen-based activities like browsing the internet and watching television, videos, and movies, and subsequent sleep difficulties. Anne-Marie Chang, an associate professor at Penn State, suggested that these activities might be less mentally stimulating than interactive ones, such as texting and playing video games.
Addressing the challenges posed by the prevalence of screen devices, Chang emphasized the importance of limiting interactive screen time before bed for adolescents’ health and well-being. Establishing consistent sleep patterns can play a crucial role in supporting better physical and mental health outcomes for young individuals.
In another study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers explored the impact of sleep disturbances among 17,182 preschool-aged children in Shanghai. The study revealed that sleep disturbances were associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties, further emphasizing the importance of adequate sleep for children of all ages.
As society continues to navigate the digital age, it becomes crucial to strike a balance between the benefits of technology and the importance of sleep for adolescents’ overall well-being. By promoting healthy screen use habits and prioritizing restful sleep, parents, educators, and healthcare professionals can help ensure the optimal development and mental health of our younger generation.
