Video gaming is something of a national pastime among teenagers in the United States. One survey found that nearly 75% of teenage boys participate in some form of gaming^1.
With so many of our kids playing video games as a principle form of recreation, and so many of the video games being highly action-oriented and even violent, it’s natural to wonder how this stimulation can impact sleep.
How Video Gaming Changes Sleep
Multiple studies have considered the impact of video gaming before going to bed.
One study ^2 published in the journal Pediatrics found that children who played video games spent less time in deep, restorative (slow-wave) sleep. At the same time, their sleep-onset latency (the time it took them to fall asleep) increased. By contrast, just watching TV without interacting didn’t affect sleep patterns.
A study ^3 from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine observed the effects of pre-bedtime video game playing versus DVD watching on thirteen teenage boys. The data revealed that sleep-onset latency was greater and self-reported sleepiness was lower after video game playing than after watching a movie (learn more about sleep-onset latency and other sleep study terms here). However, the amount of time the teens spent in deep sleep did not significantly change for the two conditions. Overall, the study included that video game playing slightly reduced sleep quality.
The amount of time that children spend playing a computer game is also significant. In another study ^4, teenage boys participated in either 50 or 150 minutes of gaming. Prolonged gaming reduced total sleep time by nearly half an hour and increased sleep latency and sleep efficiency.
Together, these studies seem to demonstrate that gaming before bed–especially excessive gaming–can moderately decrease sleep quality by lengthening the time it takes to fall asleep, decreasing time spent asleep, and reducing the amount of deep-stage sleep. However, these studies were short-term and had a small sample size. To really observe the effects of daily gaming on adolescent sleep, a long-term, large scale study would have to compare the sleep patterns of chronic gamers versus non-gamers.
Video games increase the temptation to stay up late
Video games can introduce further sleep problems when teens spend time gaming instead of sleeping, leading to reduced sleep time. During adolescence, teens are biologically programmed to want to stay up late and wake up late; they are natural “night owls” ^5! Thus, excessive video playing in the evening provides an opportunity for teenagers to put off going to bed until late at night.
This is especially important because the second study referenced above found that teenagers are likely to report feeling less sleepy after video game playing. Therefore, nighttime gaming actually compounds the issue of delayed bedtime, keeping teens up until late at night.
A double whammy: artificial light
One of the things all these studies had in common was comparing video game playing to another form of electronic use. But using electronics at all can have a negative effect on sleep. The blue light emitted by electronic devices like phones, TVs, and computer screens interferes with sleep. This wavelength suppresses melatonin (the hormone that helps to regulate our circadian rhythm) more vigorously than other wavelengths. Many of the new energy efficient light sources (like those light bulbs you’re supposed to buy) including our favorite electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, TVs), produce high concentrations of this light.
Ideally, electronic consumption should be limited prior to going to bed. Overall, we recommend not playing video games (or using any electronics) for an hour before going to bed and following a regular sleep schedule. Save the video games for waking hours!
Are you concerned that you or a loved one may have a sleep disorder? Take this daytime sleepiness quiz to find out if you’re at increased risk.
Sources:
1) Rani A. Desai, PhD, MPH, et al. “Video-Gaming Among High School Students: Health Correlates, Gender Differences, and Problematic Gaming.” Pediatrics.
2) Dworak, Markus et al. “Impact of Singular Excessive Computer Game and Television Exposure on Sleep Patterns and Memory Performance of School-aged Children.” Pediatrics.
3) Weaver, Edward et al. “The Effect of Presleep Video-Game Playing on Adolescent Sleep.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
4) King, Daniel L. et al. “The impact of prolonged violent video-gaming on adolescent sleep: an experimental study.” Journal of Sleep Research.
5) Crowley, Stephanie J. et al. “Sleep, circadian rhythms, and delayed phase in adolescence.” Sleep Medicine.
Other posts you may find interesting:
- 5 Tips For Keeping Electronics out of the Bedroom
- Watching TV in Bed: The Common Habit that Spoils your Sleep
- 4 Reasons Why You Should Wear Blue Light Blocking Glasses TONIGHT
- 10 of the Most Important Things You Need to Know About Sleep
- Celebrities and Sleep Apnea: Who do you know?
- How to Prepare Your Child for His Sleep Study
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2015 and has been edited and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Comments
Willy mc dilly
Posted on November 29, 2017this sucks. take it off
willy mc dilly fan
Posted on December 04, 2017willy mc dilly ur a god
gay
Posted on July 01, 2020penis
no one
Posted on October 04, 2022They didnt ask.
willy mc dilly fan appreciator
Posted on December 04, 2017willy mc dilly fan ur a god
willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan
Posted on December 04, 2017willy mc dilly fan appreciator ur a god
willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower
Posted on December 04, 2017willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan ur a god
willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower fan
Posted on December 04, 2017willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower ur a god
willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower fan admirer
Posted on February 05, 2020willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower fan yor a god
THe original Willy mc dilly
Posted on December 04, 2017Thank you to all of my fans, this saved my family from poverty
hi
Posted on December 04, 2017oh yeee
Willy mc dilly the 3rd
Posted on March 22, 2018this website makes me happy 😉
Willy mc dilly the 3rd
Posted on March 22, 2018hello everyone
You suck
Posted on January 11, 2019You suck smd lmaooo
You suck smd
Posted on January 11, 2019Smd lmaooooo
You suck smd fag
Posted on January 11, 2019You suck smd lmaooo
You suck smd fag
Posted on January 11, 2019BBC is the thing u choke on
billy
Posted on January 25, 2019fuck u
your mom
Posted on February 01, 2019HMU LMAO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ur gay ok?
fuck me
Posted on February 01, 2019fuck me right in the asshole huyeah
not gay
Posted on February 01, 2019not gay
not gay
Posted on February 01, 2019not gay
herye
Posted on February 05, 2019hey :]
Herye the 2nd
Posted on October 24, 2019Dammm kid
bailey delves
Posted on November 11, 2019im gay and i like dick up the bum
willy mcdilly?
Posted on December 30, 2019waht the fuck is going on
SOFA KING STEW PIT
Posted on April 04, 2020…
niqqa fuk
Posted on December 18, 2020penis suck
Buttlicker 97
Posted on April 14, 2021I lick butts
TheNewButtliker 97
Posted on April 14, 2021I think im a gay. i really like hariy asses. they have to be very hairy. And when i say very hair i mean grizzly bear hairy. i enjoy chewing on mens ass hair. No, i do not need help. its not an addiction its a hobby.
Cream Party
Posted on July 01, 2021you say you’re really hungry and you’re looking for a taste
looking for a taste of my gnarly dick paste
pablo
Posted on January 26, 2022Why is it only for boys, there are girl gamers too.
Jean Moe
Posted on March 02, 2022So many of the video games being highly action-oriented and even violent, it’s natural to wonder how this stimulation can impact sleep.
FUCK ASS BITCH SEXY NAKED PORN GIRLS FAN
Posted on March 22, 2022FUCK all ass bitch you got no dick i sleep with you motherfucking girl naked evryday and i sex her ri
]\ght
in the face
Deep sea deep strocker
Posted on March 24, 2022I have sex with juicy pieces of briskut. People call to be the Bootilicious brisket bruiser but I prefer either the jackfruit ejaculator or the papyrus penetrator. Racism against fruit ends now
Deep sea deep stroker
Posted on March 24, 2022I have sex with juicy pieces of briskut. People call to be the Bootilicious brisket bruiser but I prefer either the jackfruit ejaculator or the papyrus penetrator. Racism against fruit ends now
Jack fruit Ejaculater
Posted on March 24, 2022I love fruits, I have gone by many names, Orange obliterater, Aloe Annihilator, Papaya penetrator, but my favorite is Jack Fruit Ejaculator because it reminds me of the time I came so hard in a jackfruit that it started cracking and the pressure ended up burning a hole in the jack fruit because the jack fruit was so juicy, slimy, wet, and creamy.
Jack fruit Ejaculater dad
Posted on July 25, 2022“I love fruits, I have gone by many names, Orange obliterater, Aloe Annihilator, Papaya penetrator, but my favorite is Jack Fruit Ejaculator because it reminds me of the time I came so hard in a jackfruit that it started cracking and the pressure ended up burning a hole in the jack fruit because the jack fruit was so juicy, slimy, wet, and creamy” so proud of you son
Uptomods
Posted on August 09, 2022You can try downloading some games at Uptomods. Surely you will be satisfied with it.
Techtoroms
Posted on August 23, 2022Playing video games will make your eyes tired. So you will sleep easier
stumble guys techupnew
Posted on September 10, 2022Which part will affect your sleep? I think so
world777 com
Posted on October 12, 2022When fantasy sports first appeared in India, sports in that country could no longer be enjoyed as passive entertainment from the confines of a living room. Instead, fans and spectators could now come together and engage in their favorite sport as active world777 com players. Platforms for playing fantasy sports games have been around for the past 20 years, but they have only lately gained popularity online, particularly during the epidemic phase.
areteitech.net
Posted on October 27, 2022Great sir
xana metaverse
Posted on October 28, 2022Really a very good post. Always waiting for the new one.
it cyber security course
Posted on October 28, 2022I appreciate the way you shared the relevant, precious, and perfect information.
pegatinas de pared
Posted on November 22, 2022Wow, it is a very great information really it is a very helpful post. Nice.
i love furry horse dicks in my ass
Posted on January 30, 2023I really love furry penis in my ass. It feels so good to put a fluffy cock up my ass. I love it so much and i suck furry cocks with brother furry pussy tickler I also love to shove frozen popcicles up my anus on a really hot day to get cooled down and get rid of my horinest i leave them in there till they melt and its so soothing and theres this big black man jorge that rapes me but indont call it rape because i actually like that horse cock ofhis beacuse i can feel it in my stomach sometimes it tickles becuase all of the hairs and then i drug him and make out with him because he thinks he raping me and doesn’t know that i actually like it so i just let him his bbc is so big when i deepthroat it when it chokes me he could rap his whole dick around my throat and choke me while a furry fucks my ass and he has hairy ass armpits that i rub my dick on becasue it feels so good and he punts my dog as soon as he walks in to do it again and after i drug him i shove my cock into my dog sometimes my cat comes by and i do it to him to and i actually live on a farm so i go outside and take my horses dick and shove it up my ass and i get stuck most of the time and sometimes it almsot comes out of my throat and i can see the cum fly out of my mouth and all this use to happen every singleday till one day i accidently put my cock into the blender but jorge still fucks me and i shove my horses cock up my ass.
cuphead
Posted on February 15, 2023Children always prefer to be naughty than to go to sleep