Teens who scroll more and sleep less may actually be changing how their brains work. A new study shows that too much social media and not enough sleep mess with parts of the brain that handle decision-making and rewards — the stuff that helps you stay focused and feel motivated.
Using brain scans, researchers saw that less sleep and more social media time meant weaker brain activity in areas linked to focus, control, and reward. Translation? Bad sleep + endless scrolling = brain burnout. Some teens even over-sleep as a weird way to catch up, but it still throws everything off.
The takeaway? Sleep and screen time don’t just affect your mood — they shape how your brain develops. Helping teens learn healthy habits now could mean sharper thinking and better mental health later. You don’t have to quit socials — but your brain definitely wants a break.
Szilágyi Mónika
