Negative effects of screen time on children's sleep
9/22/2026 by Benito Alvarez, M.D., M.B.A.
Let’s face it. Digital devices and their associated light-up screens are here to stay. People rely on them so often for work, entertainment, education and communication that they have become an ordinary part of daily life, even for children and adolescents. In fact, many people have become so attached to digital devices that they continue to use them until they go to sleep at night.
What effect is screen time — something our culture has normalized — having on children and their sleep?
Why screen time’s effects deserve attention
Everyone knows sleep is important; we all need it and we feel awful if we don’t get enough of it. However, it is especially important for children and adolescents to get a good night’s sleep.
Sound sleep in children and adolescents is essential for:
- Successful learning.
- Performing well in school.
- Maintaining attention.
- Memory retention.
- Proper brain development.
- Mood regulation.
- Healthy physical growth.
Impact of screen time on sleep
Digital screen time negatively impacts the start, length and quality of child and adolescent sleep. Specifically, the blue light from screens has been shown to prevent the release of melatonin (a hormone in your body that plays a role in sleep), which can cause delays in falling asleep and overall sleep-wake cycle. In addition, using digital devices before bed can promote mental stimulation prior to falling asleep, disrupting the start of sleep. Having devices in the bedroom can also cause sleep disturbances, due to notifications that may interrupt sleep throughout the night.
Promoting healthy sleep habits
Therefore, it is strongly recommended that children avoid screens at least one hour before bedtime, and that phones, tablets and televisions be kept out of their bedroom.
You may not think twice about screen time before bed, but these measures are some of the most important steps you can take to protect your child’s overall health, growth and well-being.
Benito Alvarez, M.D., M.B.A., is a pediatric resident in Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.