That phrase about young people spending their time glued to their devices has a literal meaning. A study reveals that more than half of teenagers in the United States use their mobile phones at night, affecting their rest time. Data indicates that many are active on social networks and applications between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Lack of sleep, especially in adolescents, can negatively impact their cognitive development, emotional regulation, and mental health. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine even recommend that they should sleep between eight and ten hours, more than adults.

Previous research indicates that adolescents are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression when they do not get enough sleep.

Investigation Revelations

The study indicated that more than half of teenagers used their phones in the middle of the night, between 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 4 a.m., according to the lead author of the research, Jason M. Nagata, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, reports CNN.

Data collected from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study show how patterns of mobile phone use and specific types of uses reduce sleep during nighttime hours.

“By depriving adolescents of the opportunity to sleep, they find it difficult to get enough rest, which negatively impacts their waking behavior, as we have known for many years,” said Dr. Mary A. Carskadon, a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, who was not involved in the study.

“When you're supposed to be sleeping, your arousal levels should go down, but those types of interactions are what increase your arousal and make it more difficult to sleep,” Carskadon said.

Strategies to improve sleep

Experts advise that parents model healthy behaviors in the use of devices. Creating family boundaries and safe device use plans is crucial to encouraging healthier sleep habits.

Several strategies are suggested, such as establishing screen-free zones, device-free schedules, and keeping phones out of the bedroom. These measures seek to reduce the negative impact of nocturnal distractions on adolescent sleep.

Effects of electronic devices on mental health

The excessive use of mobile devices in adolescents is associated with multiple negative effects on their mental health, the most documented being:

Emotional and psychological disorders:

Anxiety and depression. Direct relationship with digital addiction; Those who misuse devices are more likely to suffer from it.

Low self-esteem. Especially linked to women who use mobile phones before the age of 13; also by comparisons on social networks.

Irritability and emotional disconnection. These are common symptoms of digital dependency.

Emotional instability. Young people with a smartphone before the age of 12 are more susceptible to suicidal thoughts and aggression.

Sleep disturbances

Other specific effects:

Critical factor: age of onset