Teenagers across the nation are increasingly engaging in late-night phone use, a habit that is disrupting their sleep patterns and potentially impacting their health. According to recent research, more than half of teens in the United States spend an hour or more on their phones between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on school nights. This trend is concerning given that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend eight to ten hours of sleep for teenagers each night.
Impact on Teen Health
Jason M. Nagata, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, led a study analyzing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. The findings reveal that teens are not only using their phones late at night but also during the middle of the night, between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. Although the study does not directly link nighttime phone use to harmful outcomes, previous research indicates that sleep disruption can negatively affect cognitive function and emotional regulation.
Dr. Mary A. Carskadon, a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, notes that inadequate sleep can impair teenagers’ ability to learn, whether in academics, sports, or social interactions. Emotional regulation also suffers, with sleep-deprived teens reporting increased anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. For vulnerable youth, lack of sleep may heighten the risk of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Role of Families in Addressing the Issue
The study highlights the role of families in addressing late-night phone use. Nagata and Carskadon emphasize that parents should model healthy screen habits, as teenagers often mirror their parents’ behaviors. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests creating a family media plan to guide healthy screen habits, such as establishing screen-free zones and times, and keeping devices out of bedrooms.
By fostering a family-wide approach to screen use, parents can help mitigate the negative effects of late-night phone use on their teenagers’ sleep and overall health.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
