September 21, 2022

How to help students shut down devices to get some shuteye

Download the Huddle Discussion Questions to have real conversations about this trending news story and more!

With around 95% of students having access to a smartphone and about 46% reporting that they are online “almost constantly,” it’s no surprise that using social media before bed can impact our quality of sleep. 

In fact, a recent study found that pre-teens are losing up to 8 hours of sleep a week due to being online. The study, conducted by De Montfort University, found that students between the ages of 10-11 are only getting 8.7 hours of sleep per night. While 8 hours of sleep may sound like a dream for us adults, this is below the recommended 9-11 hours of recommended sleep for students. 

This lack of quality sleep is being traced back to using social media too close to bedtime.

What does a lack of sleep mean for students?
The study discovered that 66% of students who are not getting enough sleep are using social media two hours before bed. When students use their phones that close to bedtime, it can impact their ability to fall asleep and their sleep quality.

Sleep impacts our memory, facilitates learning, and reduces stress. When students get enough quality sleep, they are more focused and more likely to have better concentration, leading to stronger academic performance. 

Scrolling on Tiktok, watching YouTube videos, or texting friends are fun activities and might seem relaxing. However, it actually stimulates and activates the brain and delays REM sleep, which is essential in helping your brain process new learnings and motor skills for the day and supports healthy brain development.

Not only can using a device too close to bedtime affect students’ REM sleep, but the blue light from phone screens can make it difficult for students to fall asleep in the first place. The blue light mimics daylight, so when you use it at night time, you are tricking your brain and your internal body clock into thinking that it is actually still daytime. Throwing off your circadian rhythm like this can make you feel awake, even if you know it’s time for bed. 

TSI’s take on how to help students sleep better
Between all the ways students can stay connected to their friends through social media, we know it isn’t always easy to put down devices. However, empowering students to strike a balance between social media and sleep will not only help them feel more energetic during the day but will also improve their overall health and well-being. 

Here at the Social Institute, we help students strike a balance. This means balancing our time and attention on tech and social media and prioritizing things that will fuel our health, happiness, and success.

You can empower students to strike a balance with social media before bedtime by encouraging them to:

  1. Determine a set time to shut down all electronics for the day
  2. Develop a bedtime routine 
  3. Create a peaceful sleeping environment without technology

In our #WinAtSocial Lesson, Debating Tech Giants’ Newest Features and the Science Behind Screen Time, students analyze their own screen time stats and examine how those stats align with their goals. Contact us today to discover how you can access this lesson and more to help students strike a balance and make high-character decisions online and offline. 

Download the Huddle Discussion Questions to have real conversations about this trending news story and more!

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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.