A recent study published in Brain & Behavior has identified a connection between the amount of time adolescents spend on screens and both their sleep quality and attitudes toward healthy living. The research involved 700 teenagers from two high schools in Turkey’s Black Sea region.
The study found that teens who reported higher screen exposure also experienced poorer sleep quality. Additionally, these individuals were less likely to hold positive beliefs about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Researchers noted that screen time served as a mediating factor between sleep quality and beliefs about health. According to the findings, poor sleep may increase screen use, which can then negatively influence adolescents’ views on healthy habits.
"It is recommended to promote interventions aimed at reducing screen exposure, increasing social interaction, and developing alternative activities among adolescents," the authors wrote. "Implementing these recommendations may help adolescents adopt healthier lifestyles, regulate their sleep quality, and reduce their screen exposure."
