Half of teenagers wake up in the middle of the night to use their phones
STUDY: Nagata JM et al, JAMA Pediatrics 2026; May 18, 2026
STUDY TYPE: Cross-sectional study
FUNDING: National Institutes of Health; Rise Together (donor-advised fund)
Background
During sleep, the brain repairs and reorganizes, enhancing learning and reducing stress. Light at night disrupts that process, and this study tells us how much it’s turning on.
The Study
- 657 adolescents (mean age 15.3), diverse in race and income
- Tracked smartphone use from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from 2022-2024
Results
Over half of the sample (52%) used their phones at least once between midnight and 4 a.m., averaging nearly 24 minutes during that window.
Teens averaged 50 minutes of smartphone use during school nights, mainly social media apps, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Black teens and those from lower-income households used phones longer on school nights and spent more time on social media. Girls spent less time on social media than boys.
Practice Implications
- Even a 10- to 15-minute gain in sleep is tied to better cognitive and mental health outcomes in adolescents, so 50 minutes of smartphone use has a cost.
- It’s essential discussion for teens, and adults, with sleep, mood, and cognitive problems.
— Chris Aiken, MD
Director, Psych Partners
Editor in Chief, Carlat Psychiatry Report
