In this episode of the Screenagers podcast, Dr. Delaney explores the alarming rise of sleep deprivation among teens starting in 2012, coinciding with the rise of screen time. Featuring clips from Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition and insights from experts Lauren Hale, PhD, and Judith Owens, MD, the episode delves into new brain science around kids and sleep deprivation and health risks linked to melatonin. Listeners are provided practical advice on how to promote healthy sleep habits, including preventing dependency to digital devices and melatonin.
Time Codes:
00:00 Introduction to Screenagers Podcast
00:29 The Sleep Deprivation Epidemic
02:08 Scientific Insights on Sleep and Brain Health
03:47 Impact of Devices on Sleep
06:23 The Melatonin Debate
08:33 Melatonin Usage and Risks
12:49 Melatonin and Puberty
14:00 Concerns About Long-Term Melatonin Use in Children
14:43 Marketing Melatonin as a Natural Sleep Aid
15:36 The Dangers of Conditioning Kids to Need Sleep Aids
18:03 Parental Strategies for Managing Device Use
19:28 Real-Life Examples of Device Management
21:19 Encouraging Better Sleep Habits in Teens
23:14 Final Thoughts on Melatonin and Sleep Dependency
25:11 Conclusion and Podcast Information
Resources:
Lauren Hale, Ph.D.
Bio: https://publichealth.stonybrookmedicine.edu/faculty/LaurenHale
Study #1
“Researchers followed nine and ten year olds, and at baseline, they collected data from the kids, from the parents, and analyzed brain skins. Then they followed up with them two years later. The kids, who were insufficient sleepers Compared to the kids who were sufficient sleepers, had changes in their brain development, especially in areas like the basal ganglia and the temporal lobe.
And this corresponded with worse mental health outcomes, worse behavioral outcomes, and measurements of intelligence were lower. This is concerning that insufficient sleep among kids may have lasting consequences. Um, brain development, and possibly into adulthood.”
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Yang, F. N., Xie, W., & Wang, Z. Effects of sleep duration on neurocognitive development in early adolescents in the USA: a propensity score matched, longitudinal, observational study. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 6(10), 2022.
Study #2
“My team and I analyzed numerous studies in which we included youth age 6 to 17.
And we showed that just having a mobile device, which includes a phone, a tablet, In the bedroom, even if they didn't use it, was associated with almost a two fold risk of insufficient sleep duration.”
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Carter, B., et al. Association Between Portable Screen-Based Media Device Access or Use and Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 170(12), 1202–1208, 2016.
Judy Owen, M.D.
Bio: https://ww
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