A recent study suggests that getting enough sleep during early adolescence may help curb impulsive behaviors, like watching mature-rated media or playing adult video games. The study found that kids who were more impulsive tended to engage with R-rated movies, and those who slept less were more likely to seek out mature content.
The research, which looked at 9- to 13-year-olds, shows that sleep duration plays a key role in moderating risky media use. The study’s lead author, Linhao Zhang from the University of Georgia, noted that only 19% of kids in the study slept more than 8 hours a night, even though experts recommend 9-12 hours for younger children and 8-10 hours for teens.
Less sleep can affect emotional regulation, making it harder for teens to control impulsive behavior. This can lead to increased exposure to media that may reduce empathy and boost aggressive tendencies. The study followed 2,757 adolescents for three years, tracking their sleep habits, impulsivity, and media choices.The findings showed that teens with higher impulsivity who got less sleep were more likely to engage with mature-rated content.
Experts like Lisa Lewis, MS, and Dr. Michael Breus agree that this research highlights the importance of sleep and parental involvement in managing teens’ media consumption.In conclusion, getting enough sleep could be a simple but effective way to help reduce risky media habits and manage impulsive behaviors in teens.
Maria Kalaridi
