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I went to a camp for a month and had no access to computers and phones. I can vouch that I slept much better during that month than any other time. And every ti

I went to a camp for a month and had no access to computers and phones. I can vouch that I slept much better during that month than any other time. And every time I tested by not having electronics around my pillow I sleep better. I am not a kid and this is just one data point, but it would take a lot to convince me that screen time doesn't affect sleep. In my experience at least, it has an effect and not a good one.

funkaster 8y ago
it could very well that what you did to replace that screen time was what affected your sleep and not the actual lack of screen time: more excercise, more reading, etc. I think screen time on its own is not the issue, it's what other things you do/do not. Everything in excess is (very likely) going to produce a negative effect.
- pbhjpbhj 8y ago
  That seems like a "pedestrians don't die 'crossing the road without looking', they die getting hit by cars" type distinction. The removal of 'crossing the road without looking' is still the solution.
  - funkaster 8y ago
    Sure. but the argument I (poorly) made was that screen time on its own might not be the only thing affecting sleep time/quality. Think about it this way: if you keep the same amount of screen time, but also do the other things (time playing outside, reading books/comics, playing with in person with friends, etc) then you would prob get the same quality sleep. The thing is that people tend to use screen time as a replacement of those activities. That's IMHO the biggest problem. As a parent of a 2.5yo toddler, I'm not restricting screen time to my son at all, because I want him to get used to them: screens and computers will inevitably be in his life. But I also make sure to play board games with him, read books and let him have actual play time outside in the park with other kids.
  - Klathmon 8y ago
    It's a solution, not the solution, and I think that's an important distinction to make. Screens could be causing sleeplessness, or it could be that sitting bored without anything to keep your attention is the key to getting to sleep more easily. And that's important to think about, as without that information, people might try to solve sleep issues by listening to podcasts, which if the root cause isn't the screen, might not help much.
jobigoud 8y ago
Are you sure it's not simply because not having access to computers and phones you slept more. Also on a camp you might do more physical exercise during the day which helps sleeping better.
sjg007 8y ago
Sleeping outside in nature / tent with no artificial lighting is better for humans. Something about our circadian rhythms.
ionised 8y ago
I'm not sure why people are downvoting you. It's a documented fact that blue light from the screens of electronic devices inhibits melatonin production.
garysahota93 8y ago
I think your statement is one data point, but I can certainly concur with it. I have had the same experience. When I disconnect from the internet, I tend to sleep much, much better. Also, if sleep wasn't affected by technology, why would Google and Apple be making efforts on "Digital Wellbeing" in their respective operating systems to help limit our use, especially late at night.
ryanmercer 8y ago
>I went to a camp for a month and had no access to computers and phones. I can vouch that I slept much better during that month than any other time. Because you weren't wondering if Sally posted her latest mirror selfie or if John had replied to your comment on his sportsball statement or if that person you're interested in liked your last status post. Sure, that's partially the fault of devices but it's mostly just not having the ability to silence your mind when you get in bed. A lot of people get in bed then immediately start thinking about their day or tomorrow instead of, you know, going to sleep. A lot of this is simply a byproduct of having fast-paced, give it to me now, I can stream 1523412 television shows and movies, oh my god if I sleep for 6 hours it'll take forever to scroll through the 731 Instagram accounts I follow's new posts tomorrow and just not knowing how to shut that chatter off in your mind. Some people can shut it off, some people can't and shouldn't use tech within an hour or two of bed, some people should largely abandon such technology period.

funkaster 8y ago

it could very well that what you did to replace that screen time was what affected your sleep and not the actual lack of screen time: more excercise, more reading, etc. I think screen time on its own is not the issue, it's what other things you do/do not. Everything in excess is (very likely) going to produce a negative effect.

pbhjpbhj 8y ago
That seems like a "pedestrians don't die 'crossing the road without looking', they die getting hit by cars" type distinction. The removal of 'crossing the road without looking' is still the solution.
- funkaster 8y ago
  Sure. but the argument I (poorly) made was that screen time on its own might not be the only thing affecting sleep time/quality. Think about it this way: if you keep the same amount of screen time, but also do the other things (time playing outside, reading books/comics, playing with in person with friends, etc) then you would prob get the same quality sleep. The thing is that people tend to use screen time as a replacement of those activities. That's IMHO the biggest problem. As a parent of a 2.5yo toddler, I'm not restricting screen time to my son at all, because I want him to get used to them: screens and computers will inevitably be in his life. But I also make sure to play board games with him, read books and let him have actual play time outside in the park with other kids.
- Klathmon 8y ago
  It's a solution, not the solution, and I think that's an important distinction to make. Screens could be causing sleeplessness, or it could be that sitting bored without anything to keep your attention is the key to getting to sleep more easily. And that's important to think about, as without that information, people might try to solve sleep issues by listening to podcasts, which if the root cause isn't the screen, might not help much.

jobigoud 8y ago

Are you sure it's not simply because not having access to computers and phones you slept more. Also on a camp you might do more physical exercise during the day which helps sleeping better.

sjg007 8y ago

Sleeping outside in nature / tent with no artificial lighting is better for humans. Something about our circadian rhythms.

ionised 8y ago

I'm not sure why people are downvoting you. It's a documented fact that blue light from the screens of electronic devices inhibits melatonin production.

garysahota93 8y ago

I think your statement is one data point, but I can certainly concur with it. I have had the same experience. When I disconnect from the internet, I tend to sleep much, much better. Also, if sleep wasn't affected by technology, why would Google and Apple be making efforts on "Digital Wellbeing" in their respective operating systems to help limit our use, especially late at night.

ryanmercer 8y ago

>I went to a camp for a month and had no access to computers and phones. I can vouch that I slept much better during that month than any other time. Because you weren't wondering if Sally posted her latest mirror selfie or if John had replied to your comment on his sportsball statement or if that person you're interested in liked your last status post. Sure, that's partially the fault of devices but it's mostly just not having the ability to silence your mind when you get in bed. A lot of people get in bed then immediately start thinking about their day or tomorrow instead of, you know, going to sleep. A lot of this is simply a byproduct of having fast-paced, give it to me now, I can stream 1523412 television shows and movies, oh my god if I sleep for 6 hours it'll take forever to scroll through the 731 Instagram accounts I follow's new posts tomorrow and just not knowing how to shut that chatter off in your mind. Some people can shut it off, some people can't and shouldn't use tech within an hour or two of bed, some people should largely abandon such technology period.