HOW DOES EXPOSURE TO SCREEN TIME—ESPECIALLY BEFORE BEDTIME—AFFECT SLEEP PATTERNS, SLEEP QUALITY, AND POTENTIAL MELATONIN-RELATED SYMPTOMS IN TEENAGERS?

Abstract

The widespread use of digital devices has raised growing concerns about their potential impact on sleep, particularly among adolescents. Blue light emitted from screens is known to suppress melatonin, a hormone critical for regulating circadian rhythms, which may in turn reduce sleep quality. To explore this relationship, we conducted a survey-based study with 50 participants, asking whether they used screens within one hour before bedtime and how rested they felt upon waking. Responses showed that a majority of participants who used screens before bed reported lower sleep quality and feeling less rested in the morning. Conversely, those who avoided screen use in the hour before sleep were more likely to report waking up refreshed. Additional analysis revealed a clear negative association between screen exposure before bed and perceived sleep quality. While our study was limited by sample size and reliance on self-reported data, the findings align with prior research and highlight the importance of healthy bedtime habits. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples could provide further insights into how screen time impacts sleep across different populations. Overall, our results suggest that reducing screen use before bedtime may support better sleep quality and overall well-being.