How often do you check your phone before bed? Most people do, and I am not an exception. People scroll and scroll until eventually they fall asleep with their phone in their hand. For children, they often FaceTime their friends and watch TikTok until late in the night. What many do not realize is that the light from phones can affect the body’s circadian rhythm. Light from phones before bedtime can delay the release of melatonin, the hormone that signals the body that it is time to sleep. Research has shown that excessive screen time can negatively affect academic outcomes and motor development.

The environments children grow up in also shape their health in important ways. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “features of the built environment, such as lighting, housing conditions, and neighborhood design, can influence children’s sleep, behavior, and long-term health issues”. Because many children now use phones and other screens at night, these sources of light can become another factor affecting sleep.