A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden highlights how excessive screen time can disrupt sleep and increase the risk of depression, especially among teenage girls. The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health, tracked 4,810 students aged 12–16 over one year to better understand how screen use affects sleep quality and mental health.

What Did the Study Find?

• Increased screen time leads to worsened sleep within three months—affecting both how long and how well teens sleep.
• This disruption also delays bedtime, disturbing the natural sleep-wake cycle.
• Poor sleep, in turn, increases the risk of developing depressive symptoms.

But the effects were different for boys and girls:

• In girls, screen time leads to sleep problems, which then leads to depression.
• In boys, screen time was linked to depression directly, with sleep playing a smaller role.

Researchers found that sleep explained 38% to 57% of the connection between screen time and depressive symptoms in girls.

Why This Matters

The teenage years are a critical time for mental and emotional development. While technology has many benefits, this study confirms that too much screen time can seriously affect teen mental health—especially by disrupting sleep.

The research supports national screen time guidelines, such as those introduced by the Swedish Public Health Agency, which recommend no more than 2–3 hours of leisure screen time per day for teenagers to help improve sleep and emotional well-being.

What Doctors and Parents Should Know

• Monitor and limit screen time, especially in the evening.
• Encourage healthy sleep routines, including screen-free time before bed.
• Watch for signs of poor sleep or mood changes, particularly in teenage girls.
• Educate families on how sleep, screen use, and mental health are connected.
• Promote offline activities that help teens unwind and socialize.

Final Thoughts

This study offers important insight into how technology use can affect teen mental health, especially by disturbing sleep patterns. It’s a wake-up call for doctors, parents, and educators to work together to create a balanced digital lifestyle for adolescents.

📢 Call to Action for Doctors:

Help your young patients develop healthier screen habits!
👉 Talk to teens and their parents about the impact of screen time on sleep and mood.
👉 Include questions about screen use and sleep in regular checkups.
👉 Encourage tech-free routines before bedtime to protect sleep quality and mental well-being.

Together, we can help protect the next generation from the silent side effects of screen overuse.

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