Put The Phone Down Kids!

Say Good Night: Less Screen Time Can Improve Teen Sleep Habits in a Few Weeks

Researchers say reducing the amount of blue-light screen time for teens at night can help them sleep better. Poor sleep has both short-term and long-term health effects, experts say. For most of human evolution, our sleep patterns have revolved around the pattern of the sun.

Then our circadian rhythms were altered with the discovery of fire, and changed forever when we discovered electricity. Now we can keep the lights on and a glowing screen in front of our faces whenever we want. The difficult part, sleep experts are finding out, is rediscovering how to turn it all off. A common complaint for modern parents is how much time their kids want to spend on their devices,
whether it be their phones, tablets, or computers.

Besides fears that they’ll miss the world around them, many parents are concerned about the long-term effects of too much screen use. Experts say it’s especially important because not getting enough sleep doesn’t just equate to being tired and having trouble concentrating. In the long run, it can lead to preventable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.