My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
WebMD Home

Ask Your Question

WebMD Answers

120 Characters remaining
120 Characters remaining
  • First, try and keep your question as short as possible.
  • Include specific words that will help us identify questions that may already have your answer.
  • If you don't find your answer, you can post your question to WebMD Experts and Contributors.

Close

Featuring Experts From

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See all
Back to List
  |  
Next Question
Didn't find your answer? Post to
WebMD Experts and Contributors
Q.

Can too much computer or TV time at night adversely affect children’s health?

Posted:
| Report This Report Question
Answer This
 

Answers From Experts & Organizations (1)

Roy Benaroch, MDRoy Benaroch, MDSUCCESS!
Roy Benaroch, MD
Pediatrics
Pediatric Physicians, PC and Emory University
30 Answers
322 Helpful Votes
8 Followers
A.
Yes. Television stimulates brain areas that interfere with sleep; it also suppresses the release of melatonin, a natural hormone important in day-night cycling.

Children and teens, especially, tend to use even-more stimulating gadgets near bedtime. Video games include rapid, graphic images. Computers, cell phones, and iPads support thousands of interactive applications that connect kids socially without any particular “off time.” Children with cell- or web-connected devices in their bedrooms get not only the sleep-depriving effect of bright screens at bedtime, but may also continue to play games and communicate with friends well after what parents might have thought was “lights out.”

There are significant social, health, and educational consequences facing kids who aren’t getting their needed 8-10 hours of sleep every night. Underslept children do poorer in school, often exhibiting “ADD-like” behavior. They have more trouble getting along with friends and family, and are more likely to struggle with obesity and depression.

Many teens who feel sleepy consume huge servings of coffee to stay awake, which can further disrupt their normal sleep rhythm and leave them even more sleep-deprived.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...down arrowThis answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.up arrow

Posted:
| Report This Report Answer

Was this helpful?

YesNo

Thanks for your feedback.

18 of 18 found this helpful
Read the Original Article: Screens in Bedrooms Aren’t Helping Our Kids Sleep
 
 
1 Answer

Next Question:

Is it normal for the side of your face to go numb after having the 2012-2013 flu vaccine? What can be done about it? Next Question