A December 2014 study confirms that texting, gaming or Internet chatting at night disrupts adolescent sleeping. More than half of kids have trouble falling asleep according to earlier studies because electronic habits are highly stimulating. These kids were more likely to suffer from insomnia and anxiety and depressive disorders. This latest finding from Brigham and Women’s Hospital indicate electronic devices decrease natural melatonin release. These subjects were less tired by bedtime and less alert the next day despite getting 8 hours of sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to a host of major health problems. Your teenager certainly won’t be happy about it short term but you’ll be doing them a favor if you get electronics out of their bedroom. Parents, too!
