Latest news with #AdolescentBrainCognitiveDevelopment
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How screen time affects sleep—and why it matters for your child's mental health
It's 9:08 p.m., and you're in the hallway again. Your 11-year-old is asking for 'just 10 more minutes' to finish their YouTube video. You glance at the clock, doing the math on how many hours of sleep they'll actually get. You know they'll be grumpy in the morning—but you're also tired of arguing. Sound familiar? In many households, the nightly screen time debate has become a familiar routine. You want your child to unwind. You want to avoid a meltdown. But you also want them to get the sleep they need. Now, new research published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that this everyday push-and-pull over screens and bedtimes may have deeper consequences than we realized. Too much screen time is linked to worse mental health, but this study shows something more—screen time may interfere with sleep, and sleep plays a critical role in how your child's brain develops. And for preteens and early adolescents, that sleep-brain link might hold the key to understanding why more screen time today could lead to more depressive symptoms down the road. New research from the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term brain development study in the U.S., offers important insights into how screen time, sleep, and emotional health are connected. In a recent analysis of over 900 children, researchers found a clear chain of effects: More screen time in late childhood (ages 9–10) was linked to shorter sleep two years later. Shorter sleep was associated with changes in the brain's white matter, especially in the cingulum bundle—a key tract involved in emotion regulation. Those brain changes were linked to more depressive symptoms in early adolescence (ages 11–13). The study used advanced imaging techniques (like NODDI, a more precise way of looking at white matter than traditional MRI) to detect these subtle but significant changes. While the changes don't necessarily mean a child will develop depression, they suggest that sleep loss during key developmental years could make the brain more vulnerable to emotional health issues. This builds on earlier research showing that sleep is vital for healthy brain development, especially during puberty when the brain is undergoing massive structural changes. Related: 13 best educational shows for kids—goodbye screen time guilt If you've ever noticed how a cranky, underslept tween becomes a different person after a good night's rest, you're not imagining it. Sleep affects mood in the moment. It also plays a deeper role in how the adolescent brain develops over time. The new study adds weight to a growing body of research showing that more than just a side effect of screen time, sleep is a critical link between digital habits and emotional health. During sleep, especially in adolescence, the brain is hard at work. It strengthens memory, balances mood-regulating hormones, and fine-tunes the connections between different brain regions. One of the brain systems being shaped during this time is white matter—the communication network that helps thoughts and emotions flow smoothly. A key white matter tract called the cingulum bundle helps regulate emotions by connecting areas responsible for feeling and self-control. The study found that less sleep was linked to less organized white matter in the cingulum bundle. This kind of disorganization can make emotional regulation harder—raising the risk for symptoms of depression. This wasn't just a theory. These changes showed up clearly in brain scans. And what contributed most to that sleep loss? More screen time. Related: Study shows parents need to 'practice what they preach' when it comes to kids' screen time You don't have to wage a nightly war over screens. A few small, consistent changes can go a long way in protecting your child's sleep — and, as the research suggests, their long-term emotional well-being. Set a consistent screen curfew. Aim to turn off all screens at least 30–60 minutes before bedtime to help melatonin rise naturally and support easier sleep onset. Remove devices from the bedroom. Keeping phones, tablets, and TVs out of sleep spaces minimizes late-night use and improves sleep quality. Create a wind-down routine. Replace screen time before bed with calming activities — reading, drawing, music, or simply chatting — to help the brain transition to rest. Be flexible, not perfect. Consistency beats strict rules. It's okay to have occasional exceptions — what matters most is your overall routine and your child's total sleep. Model healthy habits. Kids notice what parents do. Try unplugging with them in the evenings to make screen-free time feel more connected, not like a punishment. Related: Former teacher shares her 'secret weapon' on reducing screen time More screen time in childhood may lead to less sleep in adolescence — and that lost sleep can subtly reshape brain wiring tied to emotional regulation, increasing the risk of depression. The takeaway? Prioritizing sleep is a powerful, actionable way to support your child's mental health. You don't have to ban screens entirely. Just a few changes, like a screen curfew, no devices in bed, and a steady bedtime, can make a real difference. Sources: JAMA Pediatrics. 2025. 'Role of Sleep and White Matter in the Link Between Screen Time and Depression in Childhood and Early Adolescence'
Medscape
19-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Addictive Screen Use Risky for Teen Mental Health
Problematic patterns of digital media use — including compulsive social media scrolling, gaming, or phone checking — may be more harmful to adolescent mental health than overall screen time, new research suggested. Investigators found that teens with high or increasing levels of addictive digital use were more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. In contrast, total screen time showed no consistent link to mental health outcomes. The findings support emerging evidence that addictive screen use may be a more salient risk factor for suicidality and mental health in adolescents, the researchers, led by Yunyu Xiao, PhD, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian, noted. The study was published online on June 18 in JAMA . Filling a Data Gap Previous research has largely focused on total screen time rather than longitudinal addictive use trajectories. To address this gap, the investigators analyzed 4 years of data from 4285 children (mean age, 10 years; 48% women) participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to assess and track addictive use of social media, cell phones and video games, including compulsive habits, distress when not using these platforms, and failed attempts to cut back. The researchers used latent class linear mixed models to identify different trajectories of addictive screen use and classify adolescents into subgroups based on their screen use patterns over time. They found that nearly one third of participants had an increasing addictive use trajectory for social media or mobile phones starting at age 11 years. In adjusted models, increasing addictive use trajectories were associated with higher risks for suicide-related outcomes than low addictive use trajectories. Increasing addictive use of social media had a risk ratio of 2.14 for suicidal behaviors. Likewise, high addictive use trajectories across all screen types were associated with suicide-related outcomes. High-peaking addictive use of social media conferred a risk ratio of 2.39 for suicidal behaviors. Adolescents with high-peaking or increasing social media use or high video game use also had more internalizing symptoms such as depression/anxiety or externalizing symptoms such as aggression and rule-breaking. Notably, there was no significant correlation between baseline total screen time and any suicide-related or mental health outcomes. Adolescence — a Risky Time The authors of a linked editorial noted that adolescence is a vulnerable time for addictive behaviors in general and that young adolescents are particularly susceptible to screen addiction. They pointed out that the current study underscores the 'growing concern' around addictive screen use and its significant impact on the mental health of young people. 'While most interventions focus on limiting or monitoring screen time, the current study suggests that preventive strategies may also target trajectories or patterns of addictive screen use,' wrote Jason Nagata, MD, Christiane Helmer, MPH, and Abubakr Al-Shoaibi, PhD, with University of California, San Francisco. 'These results emphasize the importance of addressing not just screen time but also addictive behaviors in adolescents' and the need to 'conceptualize screen time and addictive use as separate constructs, particularly when examining associations with mental health outcomes,' the editorialists added. Experts Weigh In Several experts offered perspective on the study in a statement from the UK nonprofit Science Media Centre. Lisa Henderson, PhD, head of the Department of Psychology, University of York, York, England, called the study 'critical and timely' and one that contributes a 'much-needed large-scale longitudinal analysis to the debate on digital harms in young people.' The fact that 1 in 2 adolescents had a high addictive use trajectory for video games, 1 in 3 for social media, and 1 in 4 for mobile phone use, is 'alarming, although some caution should be taken in extrapolating these findings to now given this study spanned the pandemic,' Henderson commented. She also noted that the study did not directly address 'bidirectionality — that young people at greater risk of mental health problems may be more likely to turn to digital activities such as video gaming and social media, with this in turn feeding a further downward spiral in mental health.' Chris Ferguson, PhD, professor of psychology, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, highlighted two takeaways from the study — one is that time spent on screens does not predict mental health, and the other is that for some kids overusing screens can be a red flag for other problems. Ferguson said it would be 'a mistake to think that removing screens would solve those problems…; this study doesn't show that. However, screen overuse can be a sign that kids are stressed in other areas. Other studies suggest this typically comes from schools and families, not the screens themselves.' Amy Orben, DPhil, with the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, said the study 'importantly highlights that why and how young people use technologies, and how they feel technologies affect their lives, may matter more to their mental health than the time spent online. As those reporting such issues are not a small proportion of the population, supporting them should be taken seriously.'
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Is too much exercise bad for adolescents? Study explores physical activity and brain's link
Physical activity has always been associated with boosting better mental health. It helps in boosting our mood and making us feel better. But according to a recent study, exercising can have positive benefits for our mental health only when it is done to a limit. Too much of exercise can backfire. Also read | How much exercise you really need each week: Are you following it? In adolescents, physical activity is promoted as a daily routine to boost physical as well as mental health. But the study observed that moderate exercise can have lesser thought problems in them, while too much of physical workout can flare them up. The researchers used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study which included samples from 7,188 participants who were around 11 to 12 years old. Each participant wore a Fitbit wrist device every day for three weeks to track their daily steps and other physical activities. Their parent's analysis of their exercise habits and sports participation was also analysed. Internalising problems (such as anxiety or sadness), externalising problems (such as aggression), and thought problems (such as unusual thinking or poor attention) were also tracked in these participants. Also read | 5 incredible health benefits of exercising in the morning: Weight management to mental clarity The study authors observed that with physical activity, both moderate and vigorous levels, the participants demonstrated lesser 9internalising and thought problems. However, there was no strong link observed between physical activity and externalising problems. The relationship between exercise and mental health was observed to be non-linear. The best outcomes were observed in participants who followed a moderate physical routine. The study observed that physical activity can boost mental health in adolescents by shaping the way the brain processes information and coordinates with the regions responsible for attention, motor skills, and emotional regulation. 'We found that the effects of physical activity on mental health act more through brain function than through brain morphology in adolescence,' the study authors added. Also read | Longevity to weight loss; 6 wonderful health benefits of regular exercise Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Gulf News
23-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
Think sleep doesn't matter? New study shows early-bed teens outperform their peers
Dubai: For many of us, bedtime as children was non-negotiable - parents enforced strict lights-out rules with one core message: if you want to do well in school, you need a good night's sleep. As it turns out, they may have been right all along. A new study, published on April 16 in the scientific journal Cell Reports, has reinforced the idea that sleep is crucial for cognitive performance in teenagers. Conducted by researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai and the University of Cambridge, the study monitored the sleep habits of over 3,000 adolescents and found that those who went to bed earlier, slept longer, and had lower heart rates during sleep consistently outperformed their peers in cognitive tasks such as reading, vocabulary, and problem solving. 'Regularly getting a good night's sleep is important in helping us function properly,' said Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, one of the study's authors. 'While we know a lot about sleep in adulthood and later life, we know surprisingly little about sleep during adolescence, even though this is a crucial time in our development.' The research drew on data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term investigation into brain development and child health in the United States. Previous studies in this area often relied on self-reported sleep patterns, which can be unreliable. To overcome this, researchers used wearable fitness trackers (FitBits) to collect objective sleep data from more than 3,200 participants aged between 11-12 years old. These adolescents also underwent brain scans and cognitive assessments. To validate their findings, the researchers cross-checked the results with two additional groups of 13- to 14-year-olds, totalling around 1,190 participants. The team identified three distinct sleep pattern groups: Group One (39 per cent of participants) slept an average of 7 hours and 10 minutes. They tended to go to bed the latest and woke up the earliest. Group Two (24 per cent) had a slightly longer average sleep duration of 7 hours and 21 minutes, with average sleep timing. Group Three (37 per cent) clocked the longest average sleep - 7 hours and 25 minutes and went to bed the earliest. They also recorded the lowest sleeping heart rates. While academic performance at school did not significantly differ across the three groups, the cognitive test results told another story. Group Three, the earliest sleepers with the most rest and lowest heart rates outperformed both Group Two and Group One on tasks related to memory, vocabulary, reading, and focus. Professor Sahakian described the findings as 'surprising', telling The Guardian that even relatively minor differences in sleep accumulated over time to make a substantial difference in outcomes. Dr Qing Ma from Fudan University, another lead author, added: 'Although our study can't conclusively prove that better sleep causes improved brain function, there is a growing body of research suggesting this link. For instance, sleep has well-documented benefits for memory consolidation, which plays a vital role in learning.' The study also examined the participants' heart rates during sleep, another strong indicator of sleep quality. Lower heart rates, as seen in Group Three, are often associated with better sleep and overall health. Conversely, higher heart rates can signal restless sleep, frequent awakenings, or poor sleep quality.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Going to bed early ‘is key to how well children do in their exams'
Even 15 minutes' more sleep leads to differences in how well tasks are performed, according to researchers. The study, published in Cell Reports, used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, a long-term study looking at brain development and child health in the US. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University in Shanghai looked at 3,222 children aged between 11 and 12 who had been given FitBit devices to track their sleeping patterns. Their results were checked against two groups of 13 to 14-year-olds, comprising 1,190 youngsters. The children were divided into three categories based on average sleep times. The first slept on average seven hours and 10 minutes, while the second group slept for seven hours and 21 minutes, and the third slept for seven hours and 25 minutes. The study found the group that slept the longest had the largest brain volume and best brain function, while the first group, which slept for the shortest time, had the smallest volume and poorest brain function. Researchers found no difference in school achievements between the three groups, but when given cognitive tests looking at reading, vocabulary and problem-solving, the group that slept the longest performed the best. Professor Barbara Sahakian, of the University of Cambridge's department of psychiatry, said: 'While we know a lot about sleep in adulthood and later life, we know surprisingly little about sleep in adolescence, even though this is a crucial time in our development. 'Even though the differences in the amount of sleep that each group got was relatively small, we could still see differences in brain structure and activity and in how well they did at tasks. 'This drives home to us just how important it is to have a good night's sleep at this important time in life.' Researchers also analysed heart rates across the groups. They found the youngsters who slept the longest had the lowest heart rates, which is usually a sign of better health. Dr Qing Ma, of Fudan University, added: 'Although our study can't answer conclusively whether young people have better brain function and perform better at tests because they sleep better, there are a number of studies that would support this idea.'
