A recent study to be presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting has shed light on the distinct relationship between sleep duration, social media usage, and brain activation in adolescents. The study, conducted by researchers from SRI International in Menlo Park, California, analyzed data from 6,516 adolescents aged 10-14 years and found compelling evidence of the interplay between digital engagement, sleep habits, and brain development.
The study revealed a correlation between shorter sleep duration and increased social media usage among teenagers. Specifically, the analysis highlighted the involvement of areas within the Frontolimbic brain regions, such as the inferior and middle frontal gyri, in these relationships. These brain regions play a crucial role in executive control, inhibitory control, and reward processing, all of which are essential for adolescent brain development.
Dr. Orsolya Kiss, a research scientist at SRI International and the study’s lead author emphasized the findings’ significance. Dr. Kiss stated, “Our findings suggest that poor sleep and high social media engagement could potentially alter neural reward sensitivity in adolescents. The intricate interplay between digital engagement and sleep quality significantly influences brain activity, with clear implications for adolescent brain development.”
The study’s results provide valuable insights into the impact of two significant aspects of modern adolescent life—social media usage and sleep duration—on brain development. Understanding the specific brain regions involved in these interactions can help identify potential risks and benefits associated with digital engagement and sleep habits. Dr. Kiss stressed the importance of this knowledge in guiding the development of evidence-based interventions aimed at promoting healthier habits among adolescents.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that teenagers aged 13 to 18 should sleep for 8 to 10 hours on a regular basis and disconnect from electronic devices at least 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime. These guidelines are particularly relevant in light of the findings from this study, as they underscore the importance of adequate sleep and reduced screen time for optimal brain development in adolescents.
This groundbreaking research, supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, provides a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between sleep, social media, and brain development in adolescents. The implications of this study are far-reaching, offering valuable insights that could inform strategies to promote healthier habits and improve overall well-being among teenagers.
The findings from this study will be presented at SLEEP 2024, the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, and are set to contribute to ongoing discussions and initiatives aimed at addressing the impact of digital media usage and sleep habits on adolescent brain development.
Also Read: 4+ hours of using a smartphone impacts adolescent health
Journal Reference
Kiss, O., Zhang, L., Harkness, A., Kerr, E., Durley, I., Arra, N., Camacho, L., Tager, L., Fan, R., Gombert, M., Nagata, J., & Baker, F. (2024). 0148 Interconnected Dynamics of Sleep Duration, Social Media Engagement, and Neural Reward Responses in Adolescents. Sleep, 47(Supplement_1), A64-A65. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae067.0148
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