Why Doctors Are Urging Teens To Stop Doomscrolling Before Bed
Doctors are warning teens against doomscrolling after new research found many adolescents use phones late into the night, disrupting sleep and potentially affecting mental health, learning and emotional regulation. Experts say apps like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube may keep teens awake longer and urge families to create healthier screen habits at home.
Doctors and sleep researchers are warning against late-night doomscrolling among teenagers after new research found that more than half of US teens spend significant time on their phones during overnight hours on school nights, potentially affecting sleep, learning and mental health.
The study, led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that many adolescents continue using smartphones between 10 pm and 6 am, with more than half actively engaging with their devices between midnight and 4 am Experts say the trend is reducing opportunities for healthy sleep during a critical stage of brain and emotional development. Meta, YouTube Found Liable in US Teen Addiction Case.
Why Doctors Are Urging Teens To Stop Doomscrolling Before Bed
The research analysed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study and examined how specific types of phone use affect teenage sleep habits. Lead study author Jason M. Nagata, associate professor of pediatrics at UCSF, said social media, entertainment and communication apps were among the most commonly used platforms during nighttime hours.
Teens spent an average of 33 minutes nightly on apps including YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, according to the findings. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend that teenagers get between eight and 10 hours of sleep each night. Bengaluru Startup Founder Salary Debate: Why Experts Warn Against 'Performing Poverty' Despite Company Success.
Why Doctors Are Concerned About Doomscrolling
Sleep experts say nighttime scrolling keeps the brain mentally active when the body should be preparing for rest. “When you’re supposed to be sleeping, your arousal levels need to go down, but those are the kinds of interactions that amp up your arousal and make it harder to sleep,” said Dr. Mary A. Carskadon, professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University.
Experts noted that notifications, buzzing phones and late-night messages can repeatedly interrupt sleep cycles. Many teenagers also develop a habit of checking their phones immediately after waking up during the night. “All of sudden you see these messages and that can reactivate them and make it harder to fall asleep,” Nagata said.
A separate 2023 analysis led by Nagata found that 17% of adolescents reported being awakened at least once per night by phone calls, text messages or emails, while 20% said they used their phones after waking overnight.
Impact on Learning and Mental Health
Researchers say inadequate sleep can impair memory, concentration and emotional regulation among teenagers.
“One of the life tasks for teenagers is to learn,” Carskadon said. “Whether it’s school learning, learning their sports, how to behave with other people, social interactions, there’s a lot of learning building up across the adolescent age span.”
Studies have also linked poor sleep to increased irritability, anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents. “The less sleep a teenager has, the more irritable they become,” Carskadon added.
Experts further warned that chronic sleep deprivation may increase risks related to self-harm, suicidal thoughts and risky behavior in vulnerable adolescents.
Researchers stressed that reducing nighttime screen use should involve the entire household rather than focusing only on teenagers. “I think it’s important for parents to model healthy screening behaviors,” Nagata said. “We also found that one of the top predictors of teenagers’ screen use is actually their parents screen use.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends families create media-use plans that include screen-free times and device-free zones inside the home. Experts also suggest keeping phones outside bedrooms overnight and limiting notifications during sleeping hours. “It’s not just a teen issue; it’s a family issue,” Carskadon said.
When contacted for comment, YouTube directed attention to its parental control resources. TikTok and Instagram did not respond before publication deadlines. Researchers say social media platforms remain a central part of adolescent online activity, making balanced device use increasingly important for sleep and overall well-being.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 27, 2026 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
