Study Finds Screen Use Increases Insomnia Risk, Reduces Sleep Duration

A new study has found that using screens for just one hour before bed can increase the risk of insomnia by nearly 60% and reduce sleep time by approximately half an hour.

The study, which surveyed over 45,000 students in Norway aged 18 to 28, assessed their sleep habits and screen usage before bed. Participants were asked about the types of screen activities they engaged in, including watching movies and browsing social media. The study revealed that the overall duration of screen use before sleep had a more significant impact on sleep quality than the type of activity itself.

Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and lead author of the study, explained, “The type of screen activity does not appear to matter as much as the overall time spent using screens in bed.”

Published in the Journal of Frontiers in Psychiatry, the study highlights growing concerns over the negative impact of screen usage on sleep patterns, particularly in young adults. Experts recommend limiting screen time before sleep and establishing healthy pre-bedtime routines to reduce the risk of insomnia and improve overall sleep quality.