How interactive screen use reduces sleep time in teens

It’s well-known that using screen time can negatively impact sleep quality and overall well-being. Now, a new study shows that interactive screen use such as playing games or texting can reduce sleep time more than passive screen time such as watching television. The study, led by researchers from Penn State University, shows that 15-year-old adolescents who spent time texting people or playing video games in the hour before bed took 30 minutes longer to fall asleep compared to those who did not engage in interactive screen time. Furthermore, for each hour during the day that teens spent playing video games beyond their usual amount, their sleep was delayed by about 10 minutes, the university’s press statement explained. They spend about 1.3 hours every day playing video games, less than an hour per day surfing the internet and about 1.7 hours per day watching television or videos.