A message from Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

P hones, tablets, even watches—screens are everywhere you

turn. According to Common Sense Media, teens spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes on screens every day! And that doesn’t include computer time for schoolwork! Studies show that too much screen time can affect your body. Adolescence is a critical time for brain development so teens may be especially at risk. While watching videos or texting with friends is fun, it’s crucial to limit screen time. Here’s why—and how.

Trouble SleepingExcessive screen time can disrupt your sleep. You may stay up later interacting with your device. Your body releases a chemical called melatonin at night, in response to darkness. It helps your body fall asleep and stay asleep. Bright screen lights can reduce melatonin production, keeping you awake.

Can Too Much Screen Time Harm You?

Learn how spending excessive time on electronic devices can

affect your brain and body.

HEADS UP REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY

For additional facts about science and your health, visit scholastic.com/headsup and teens.drugabuse.gov.

Some studies link higher levels of screen time to increased symptoms of depression.

1Use an app to track

your screen time. Set limits.

2Turn off all screens 30 to 60 minutes before bed. You’ll fall asleep more easily and feel better-rested in the

morning.

3Schedule time to

do things without phones or other

screens: Go outside, try a new hobby, hang

out with friends.

4Exercise—you’ll feel

a natural boost of your brain’s feel-good

chemicals.

5Keep a journal. Does

screen time make you feel anxious or

stressed? Talk to your parents, a school

counselor, or your doctor for help.

Tips for “Turning Off”

Sleep is especially important for teens. Getting too little sleep can weaken your immune system, making you more likely to get sick. It can also affect your ability to concentrate, learn, and remember. While you sleep, your brain stores what it’s learned during the day. This makes it possible to recall information come test time.

Mood ChangesToo much scrolling and texting may affect your emotional health. Scientists are still studying the link between screen time and mood. But some studies link higher levels of screen time to increased symptoms of depression. Many other factors also play a role in depression. Other studies have shown that excessive screen time may lead some teens to neglect responsibilities, use screens to deal with stress, and feel anxious without a device.

Altering Your BrainToo much screen time may cause physical changes to your brain. The cortex is the outer layer of the brain that processes information. During adolescence, the cortex undergoes critical development. Screen time may affect its growth. A study called Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) revealed that some kids who use screens more than seven hours a day had a thinner cortex than those who used screens less. Future studies hope to show how this will affect kids’ brains over time.

Tune OutYour brain goes through major changes during your teens. Everything you experience during this time can affect your brain development. It’s essential to challenge your brain by trying new things—like sports, music, and cooking—so it can help you process information and solve problems in the future. Screens may always be a part of your life—but they don’t have to be the main part.Fr

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activities. Keep track of emotions and mood related to screen time and ask for support if needed.)

Critical-Thinking Writing Prompts

Grades 6–8 How might too much screen time affect your school performance? Give an example to support your answer.

Grades 9–10 Explain why it is important for teens to balance screen time with other activities.

Grades 11–12 How might excessive exposure to social media negatively affect a teen’s emotional health? Give one way teens can limit their social media exposure.

Paired Reading“Getting Enough Sleep: The Impossible Dream?”(teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post /getting-enough-sleep-impossible-dream)This paired text explains the importance of sleep and why many teens may be missing out.

Writing Prompt Explain why sleep is important. Then give two factors that may prevent teens from getting enough sleep. Use text evidence from “Can Too Much Screen Time Harm You?” and “Getting Enough Sleep: The Impossible Dream?” to support your answer.

Can Too Much Screen Time Harm You?It’s no secret that teens spend a lot of time viewing screens. In fact, the average teen spends over seven hours a day on screens for entertainment alone. But science increasingly shows that too much screen time can negatively affect teens’ health. By sharing the article “Can Too Much Screen Time Harm You?” and the activity “Screen Time and Sleep Survey,” you can help students understand how screen time may impact their physical and emotional well-being.

TEACHING GUIDE

Subject Areas

• Science Literacy• E nglish Language Arts• Health/Life Skills

Standards

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

RST.9, GRS. 6–10 • Compare and contrast the

information gained from experiments with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.

RI.1, GRS. 6–12 • Cite textual evidence to support

analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Practices• Obtaining, evaluating, and

communicating information• Analyzing and interpreting data

Crosscutting Concept

• Patterns

Core Idea

MS-LS1.D/HS-LS1.D • Information Processing

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

• 8. Science, Technology, and Society

Additional Lesson Resources

Vocabulary Support• Download terms and definitions

at scholastic.com/headsup /screentime

More Lessons on Science and Health• headsup.scholastic.com

/teachers • teens.drugabuse.gov

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HEADS UP REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY

Sponsored Educational Materials

▼ Reading Comprehension Questions

1 Explain why using your phone before bed might make it hard to

sleep. (The bright light from the screen can reduce the amount of melatonin your body produces, keeping you awake. Melatonin is a natural chemical that helps you fall and stay asleep.)

2 What evidence suggests a link between screen time and

emotional health? (Some studies have shown a link between higher amounts of screen time and increased symptoms of depression; some teens who overuse screens have anxiety when they are away from their phones, neglect responsibilities, and turn to screens to deal with stress.)

3 (A study showed that the brains of some kids who used screens for more than seven hours a day had a thinner cortex than those of kids who used screens for less time. The cortex is the outer layer of the brain that processes information. It undergoes significant development during adolescence.)

How might too much screen time affect your brain development?

4 What are some ways teens can reduce their screen time? (Track

screen time and set limits each day. Turn off screens 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Schedule time for non-screen-related

Step 1: Collect Data » For one week, carefully track your habits using the table below.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

SCREEN TIME ACTIVITY » Record the hours you spend on screens each day.Computer/

Phone/Tablet: School-Related

Computer/Phone/Tablet: Entertainment

Watching TVPlaying Games

Total Hours of

Screen Time

MOOD » Record your mood at least twice a day. (e.g., sad, happy, excited, tired)Morning

Evening

SLEEP TIMES » Record your total hours of sleep the night before each day.Total Hours

of Sleep

HEADS UP REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY ACTIVITY

From Scholastic and the scientists of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Sponsored Educational Materials

For more information, visit scholastic.com/headsup.

Step 2: Analyze Your Data (separate paper)Graph your daily screen time and sleep for the week. Then answer these questions:1. What day had the highest total of screen time activity?2. Did you observe a link between screen time and sleep totals each day?3. The Centers for Disease Control recommends teens get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Did you? What is one thing

you could do to help yourself sleep better? 4. Did you observe a link between your mood and amount of screen time? Explain.

Step 3: Set a Challenge (separate paper)Create goals to reduce your screen time. How much screen time will you allow each day? Which activities will you cut back? Which will you increase? Track your habits for another week. Compare the results.

Screen Time and Sleep SurveyHow much time do you spend on electronic devices each day? Conduct your own investigation to find out.

VOCABULARY LIST

Can Too Much Screen Time Harm You?adolescence (noun): the period of life when a young person develops into an adult

chemical (noun): a substance, such as an element or a mix of elements (compound), that is made by a chemical process

cognitive (adjective): related to thinking, reasoning, or remembering

cortex (noun): the outer layer of the brain that is involved in processing sensory information such as sight and smell, coordination, and memory as well as complex thinking and decision-making

crucial (adjective): very important

depression (noun): a condition in which a person feels sad and hopeless and may have difficulty concentrating and thinking

development (noun): the act or process of growing or causing something to become larger or more advanced

disrupt (verb): to prevent something from continuing in the way it normally would

essential (adjective): necessary; needed

evidence (noun): something that gives proof or a reason to believe something

excessive (adjective): more than is needed; not a reasonable amount

Find the article at:scholastic.com/headsup/screentime

factor (noun): something that causes a result

immune system (noun): the system of organs, tissues, and cells that protect the body against substances like bacteria and viruses that can cause disease

investigate (verb): to observe or study by close examination

melatonin (noun): a chemical released in the body in response to darkness that is linked to cycles of sleeping and waking

neglect (verb): to give little attention to

symptom (noun): something that indicates the presence of a disease