Across 67 studies, more screen time meant later bedtimes and shorter sleep
A systematic review of screen media and sleep in school-aged children
Reviewed by Sian Trombley, CCCFounder, Thrive Family Company
Moderate confidence
Source citation
Hale L., Guan S. (2015). Screen time and sleep among school-aged children and adolescents: A systematic literature review. Sleep Medicine Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2014.07.007
Published 1 January 2015 · Added to Thrive 26 July 2026 · Reviewed 26 July 2026
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The screen-time debate is noisy. Sleep is the outcome where the evidence is most consistent.
Published research findings
The study
Hale and Guan reviewed 67 studies examining associations between screen media use and sleep in children aged five to eighteen.
What researchers examined
Whether screen use predicted delayed bedtime and reduced total sleep duration.
What they found
Ninety percent of studies found screen time associated with delayed bedtimes and shorter sleep. The pattern held across screen types and age groups.
Thrive editorial interpretation
What this may mean for families
If you only change one digital habit, change the one closest to bedtime.
What this doesn't tell us
Important limitations
Mostly cross-sectional and reliant on self-reported screen use and sleep.
Evidence confidence describes how much weight this study's design can carry — not how strongly the finding applies to any individual child or family.
Therapist perspective — Thrive interpretation, not a finding of the study
Therapist Perspective
I ask families to move charging out of bedrooms before we discuss anything else about screens.
Practical family considerations
Protect the last hour before bed and charge devices outside the bedroom.
This research summary is educational and does not replace individualized medical, psychological or therapeutic advice.
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Strong confidence
Why it matters
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Why it matters
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Why it matters
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