A recent study from Norway has found that spending time on screens in bed is linked to poorer sleep quality and increased insomnia risk. The study surveyed over 45,000 university students aged 18 to 28 and found that each additional hour of screen time in bed increased the risk of insomnia by 59% and reduced sleep duration by an average of 24 minutes.
The research did not find significant differences between types of screen activities, such as social media, gaming, or watching TV. Dr. Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, who led the study, stated that screen use itself is the key factor in sleep disruption, likely due to "time displacement," where screen use delays sleep.
The study, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, highlights the growing disconnect between technology use and sleep hygiene among young adults. Despite the widespread understanding that sleep is critical for mental and physical health, modern bedtime routines increasingly include screens, apps, and notifications that may keep the brain on high alert.
While the study found a correlation between bedtime screen use and sleep disruption, it did not establish causality. Researchers suggest reducing screen use in bed and stopping at least 30-60 minutes before sleep to improve sleep quality.