30.1 digital media and sleep health among adolescents: does sleep mediate the association between screen time and depressive symptoms?

Given the pervasive use of screen-based media and the high prevalence of insufficient sleep among adolescents, we will review the evidence linking both and we will present new findings. Numerous studies find an adverse association between screen-based media use and sleep, primarily via delayed bedtimes and reduced total sleep duration. Underlying mechanisms include: 1) time displacement (ie, time spent on screens replaces time spent sleeping and other activities); 2) psychological stimulation from the media content; and 3) effects of light emitted from devices on circadian timing, sleep physiology, and alertness.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research