Doctors warn of rising severe insomnia among youth due to nighttime phone use

Health professionals in multiple regions report a sustained increase in consultations for severe insomnia, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The most frequently cited factor is the use of smartphones at night, especially while lying in bed. Scientific evidence links the blue light emitted by screens to reduced melatonin production and a disrupted circadian rhythm, while the device’s reward system stimulates dopamine, keeping the brain alert.

Clinicians observe patients sleeping fewer hours, taking longer to fall asleep, experiencing frequent awakenings, and feeling chronic fatigue. Common symptoms include extreme difficulty sleeping without a phone, nighttime anxiety when unable to check social media, fragmented sleep, and poorer academic or work performance. In severe cases, clinical treatment such as cognitive‑behavioral therapy or medication may be required.

Doctors recommend avoiding screens for at least an hour before bedtime, enabling blue‑light filters, maintaining regular sleep schedules, keeping phones out of the bedroom, and replacing nighttime phone use with reading or relaxation techniques. They warn that if these habits persist, the prevalence of severe insomnia could continue to grow, especially among younger populations.