A study found that the habit of using smartphones or electronic devices with screens right before falling asleep can cause insomnia.
The online free paper publisher Frontiers noted on the 31st (local time) that a research team led by Dr. Gunhild Jonsen at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health revealed that using screen devices before bedtime can trigger insomnia. This study was published in 'Frontiers in Psychiatry,' an international journal published by Frontiers.
Sleep is essential for mental and physical health, but many people do not get enough sleep. The average sleep time for Koreans is quite short. According to the '2024 Korean Sleep Status Report' released by the Korean Society of Sleep Research, the average sleep duration for Koreans is 6 hours and 58 minutes, which is about 18% less than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average.
This study focused on 'screen use,' which is identified as a cause of sleep deprivation. The research team conducted a large-scale survey of adult college students, moving beyond the focus that most existing research has had solely on adolescents. A total of 40,202 Norwegian college students aged 18 to 28 participated in the study.
The research team surveyed whether participants used screen electronic devices and for how long before bed. They also divided the participants into groups based on whether they used only social media, did not use social media at all, or engaged in various activities including social media. Additionally, they evaluated sleep and wake-up times, time taken to fall asleep, and symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia is defined as experiencing sleep disturbances three or more times a week and excessive daytime sleepiness for over three months.
The analysis revealed that every hour increase in screen use before sleep increased the risk of insomnia by 59%, while total sleep duration decreased by an average of 24 minutes. The research team concluded that this outcome was due to screen electronic device use replacing rest time rather than having an awakeness effect.
The research team explained that the type of screen activity did not affect sleep quality. All screen activities, including social media, watching movies, and internet browsing, had a similar level of negative impact.
Dr. Jonsen said, 'If you are having difficulty sleeping and believe that screen use may be the cause, it's best to stop using screens at least 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime,' adding, 'If it is necessary to use them, turning off notification functions may also help reduce sleep disturbances.'
Reduced sleep time can lead not just to simple fatigue but also to serious health issues. Dr. Julio Fernandez Mendoza at the University of Pennsylvania Sleep Center has previously published research indicating that sleep deprivation can increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease (CBVD). According to this study, adults who lack sleep are more than three times more likely to die from CBVD than those who do not.
References
Frontiers in Psychiatry (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1548273
Journal of the American Heart Association (2019), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.119.013043