Key points from article :
A new study published in Frontiers by Dr Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland and colleagues from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has found a strong link between screen use in bed and poor sleep quality among young adults. Based on survey data from over 45,000 students in Norway, the researchers found that each additional hour spent on screens after going to bed was associated with a 63% higher risk of insomnia and an average of 24 minutes less sleep per night.
Importantly, the type of screen activity—whether watching TV, using social media, or browsing the internet—didn’t seem to make a difference. It was the total time spent using screens in bed that mattered most. The researchers stressed that this was a correlation, not proof that screen time causes insomnia. It's also possible that people with sleep problems turn to screens more often at night.
Experts say that limiting screen time before bed may help improve sleep. Sleep specialists recommend putting phones and devices away at least an hour before sleep, sticking to a consistent bedtime, and doing something relaxing—like reading or taking a bath—to help wind down. Exposure to natural daylight during the day and creating a calming bedroom environment are also thought to be beneficial.
While the study has limitations—such as relying on self-reported data and not being globally representative—it adds to growing evidence that screens at bedtime could be interfering with our sleep. The researchers call for more in-depth and long-term studies to better understand the effects of bedtime screen use, including how nighttime notifications and interactions might further disrupt rest.
