Teen Phone Use at Night Linked to Sleep Deprivation and Health Risks

A new study of U.S. adolescents found that more than half spend an hour or longer on their phones between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on school nights, and many use devices from midnight to 4 a.m. Researchers led by Jason M. Nagata of UCSF warned that this “doomscrolling” reduces the recommended eight‑to‑ten hours of sleep, impairing cognitive performance, emotional regulation and increasing irritability.

Sleep loss among teens is associated with higher anxiety, depression, and for vulnerable youths, greater risk of suicidal thoughts and self‑harm. Complementary research on nighttime TV exposure notes that screen light suppresses melatonin, fragments deep sleep, raises heart rate and cortisol levels, and can contribute to chronic stress and insomnia. Experts advise gradual reduction of screen use before bed, use of timers, and adoption of dark, quiet sleeping environments to protect adolescent health.