Bright Screens, Sleep Disorders and More

According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation, “95% of American citizens use some form of digital technology an hour before they go to bed,” and 60 percent of Americans also experience sleep problems almost every night (zmescience.com, April 23, 2017). What many may not realize is that numerous studies have shown that the bright blue light emitted from the screens of laptops, iPads, smart phones, computers and even LED light bulbs—when that exposure is within an hour before bedtime—interrupts the production in the brain of a hormone (melatonin) that induces sleep (newsmax.com, January 7, 2014). This short wave blue light predominates in natural daylight hours, but when the sun goes down, the brain begins to produce melatonin that induces sleep. Numerous studies have linked disturbed sleep with lower levels of memory recall, depression, increased susceptibility to colds and other infectious diseases, diabetes, obesity and even cardiovascular disease. Younger teens appear to be especially susceptible to the negative effects of bright light from electronic devices (brown.edu, August 26, 2015).

Solomon tells us, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3). Based on scientific evidence and biblical advice, it would be wise to power down at least an hour before bedtime if we hope to sleep well and avoid the consequences that come from disrupted sleep.