Study Reveals Link Between Excessive Screen Time and Sleep Issues, Depression in Girls

Synopsis

A recent study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet highlights the detrimental effects of excessive screen time on sleep quality and mental health among adolescents, particularly in girls, suggesting a significant link to increased depressive symptoms.

Key Takeaways

Excessive screen time harms sleep quality.
Stronger effects observed in girls.
Connection between sleep disturbances and depression.
Increased screen usage delays sleep onset.
Recommendation of less than 2 hours of screen time daily.

New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Excessive screen time in adolescents adversely affects various elements of sleep, consequently heightening the likelihood of depressive symptoms, according to a recent study. The researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden noted that these correlations were especially pronounced among girls.

Earlier research has indicated connections between screen time, sleep disturbances, and depression in teenagers. Nevertheless, the relationship between sleep issues and depression is often intertwined, leading to ambiguity regarding the direction of these associations.

The latest study, published in the open-access journal PLOS Global Public Health, monitored 4,810 Swedish students aged 12-16, gathering information on sleep quality and quantity, depressive symptoms, and screen usage at three intervals throughout a year.

The results revealed that escalating screen time resulted in worsened sleep within three months, affecting both the duration and quality of sleep.

Furthermore, increased screen time was found to delay sleep onset, disrupting multiple aspects of the human sleep-wake cycle.

While boys experienced a direct negative impact on depression after twelve months of increased screen time, for girls, the link was primarily mediated through sleep disturbances.

Sleep issues accounted for roughly half (38 per cent-57 per cent) of the connection between screen time and depression in girls.

Although boys who spent more time on screens also faced sleep interruptions, these were not strongly correlated with subsequent depression, as indicated by the study.

“We discovered that adolescents reporting longer screen durations also developed poorer sleep habits over time, which in turn elevated their levels of depression, particularly among girls,” explained the research team led by Sebastian Hokby from Karolinska Institutet.

While there is no universally accepted limit on screen time for adolescents, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises less than 2 hours of screen use per day for children over age five and into adolescence.

Given that sleep and depression frequently coexist, both can impact the development of cognitive and emotional regulation abilities.

The researchers urged for a reduction in screen time to promote better sleep and mental health.