(JUNE 22, 2021) Researchers from the University of Oregon conducted a study. They wanted to learn about the effects of electronic devices on the sleep of teenagers. They learned what most parents already know: more time online means less time sleeping.
Three researchers studied 345 teenagers for six months. They saw how using devices before bedtime reduced sleep. But they learned something equally important. Less sleep led to more use of the devices at bedtime.
“So it creates this vicious cycle where engaging in bedtime media use can result in poor quality sleep, which over time fuels more bedtime media use” said the researchers.
They said that watching videos or playing games over-stimulates young brains. Instead, they should be relaxing before sleeping. The device's blue light also stimulates their brains. The teenagers slept less. They were sleepy the next day, and they could not pay attention.
Parents should set rules, they say. Teenagers should not use their devices one hour before bedtime. Parents should also model this same behavior. Then everyone sleeps well.