Screen habits may lower quality, duration of adolescents’ sleep

Bedtime screen use may be associated with poorer sleep outcomes in adolescents, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

In the study, investigators examined the data of nearly 9,400 participants aged 11 to 12 years. They discovered that the participants who had a television or internet-connected device in their bedrooms experienced shorter sleep durations after one year. Those who left their phone ringers on overnight had a higher risk of sleep disturbances and shorter sleep durations compared with those who didn’t leave their phone ringers on overnight. Further, the participants who talked or texted, listened to music and used social media prior to sleep had shorter sleep durations, more sleep disturbances and more difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep.

Providing guidance on bedtime screen behaviors may help early adolescents improve the quality of their sleep.

Read more: Journal of Adolescent Health

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