Is screen time bad for sleep?
The American Academy of Pediatrics warn against just having any type of device near you during sleep.
Although television with its glare and audio volume has been the main drain on sleep for many generations, the widespread use of small screens has issued in a new and easier way for us to watch sleep slip away silently. Phones tend to keep us alert with inactivity, interrupting sleep with notifications and teens often report feeling sleep deprived when they slept near a small screen. However; is important to consider the type of screen time you are engaging in. Passive screen time, such as scrolling through your Instagram or sending Snapchat streaks tends to promote moodiness, depression, anxiety and laziness. According to research done by Common Sense Media, activities like drawing, Face-timing (communication), and reading can promote brain activity and neural processing as well as boost dopamine levels.
An argument has been made for changing your device settings to blue light mode or night shift to help wind down for bed. But most experts agree that regardless of the blue light, devices cause sleep disruption just by being present and even more so if they are within arm's reach during sleep in the room where you're trying to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests all screens be turned off at least 30 minutes before bedtime and should sleep at a minimum between 8 to 10 hours of sleep every day.
Do you think your phone helps or hurts your sleep? Leave a comment below.
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