HOUSTON – A new study is raising concerns about how much sleep teenagers are losing because of overnight phone use.
According to research by CNN, more than half of U.S. teenagers spend at least one hour on their phones overnight during school nights.
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The findings come as health experts continue warning about the importance of sleep for adolescent development. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend that teenagers get between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night.
Researchers analyzed data tracking teen phone-use patterns and found that many adolescents are staying connected late into the night, reducing the amount of uninterrupted sleep they get during the school week.
While the study did not directly link nighttime phone use to harmful outcomes, previous research has connected poor sleep habits to negative effects on cognitive function, emotional regulation, mental health and academic performance.
Experts say parents can play a major role in helping teens build healthier screen habits.
One recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics is creating a family media plan that establishes screen-free zones in the home and designated times when devices are not allowed.
Experts also recommend keeping phones and other devices out of bedrooms at night and encouraging activities that do not involve screens.
Another strategy experts suggest is creating a “family media lockbox,” where everyone in the household physically separates from their devices before bedtime.
Health experts say small changes in nighttime routines can help teens improve sleep quality and reduce dependence on screens before bed.