Electronic Gadgets Before Bed Can Hinder Sleep
The National Sleep Foundation released results of its annual survey. Christie Nicholson reports
SUBSCRIBE TO Science Quickly
The National Sleep Foundation released the results of its annual sleep poll today, where they surveyed more than 1,500 people between ages of 13 and 64.
Here are some of the findings: 43 percent of Americans say they rarely or never get a good night’s sleep during the week.
Nearly everyone, 95 percent, use electronics (like TV, computer, or cell phone) within the hour just before bed. Researchers caution that the use of such devices are particularly harmful to the sleep-onset process, since the artificial light can suppress the release of melatonin which is our sleep hormone.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
More than half of teenagers report consuming and producing text messages every night just before bed compared to only 15 percent of those in their 30s and 5 percent of the baby boomers.
And it’s the teenagers who are the sleepiest of all, with baby boomers getting the most sleep. Scientists caution since most teens get two hours less sleep than the recommended 9 hours, maybe an environment with fewer OMGs and ROFLs might encourage a calm wind down before bed.
—Christie Nicholson
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
