Turn Off That Tablet: Screen Time Could Be Stopping Your Teenager From Sleeping Well

We all know that looking at a screen before going to bed will keep us awake for longer, but you probably didn’t realise how much screen time affects your teenager’s overall sleep.

A study, published in the British Medical Journal, has found that over two hours of screen time after school leads to both delayed and shorter sleep.

In fact, many of the 16-19 year olds from Norway who took part in the study said they slept less than five hours a night – despite admitting they need around eight to nine hours to feel properly rested.

The teenagers were asked about the their bedtime routines both on school nights and at weekends, plus they confessed to how much screen time they indulged in.

The boys revealed that they spend six and a half hours a day on average using tablets, smartphone and watching TV, primarily playing computer games. While girls spend an hour less each day – mostly chatting online.

The researchers found that any type of screen used during the day, and right up until bedtime, appeared to affect the teenagers’ sleep patterns.

More Screen Time = More Disturbed Sleep
The teens who used their gadgets for over four hours a day had a 49 per cent chance of taking more than an hour to fall asleep. Adults usually nod off in around 30 minutes.

These teenagers also had less than five hours of sleep a night.  

And the more the teens looked at their phone, tablet, laptop or TV, the less sleep they got.

The exact reason behind this is unknown, but the study’s lead research has some ideas.

Dr Mari Hysing from Uni Research Health, Bergen, says that playing on electronic devices could leave teenagers with less time to do other things – such as sleep.

Alternatively, looking at an illuminated screen could simply keep teens’ minds active, so that they struggle to feel tired.

"We know that sufficient sleep is essential for good physical and mental health. Logging off may be one important step toward securing a good night's sleep,” says Dr Hysing.

Plus, playing on a electronic device for too long can lead to muscle pains, tension and headaches.

“The recommendations for healthy media use given to parents and adolescents need updating, and age specific guidelines regarding the quantity and timing of electronic media use should be developed,” says the study.

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Are you guilty of looking at a screen before you go to bed? Let us know in the comments.