Too much screen time, too little sleep could put kids’ health at risk

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0500

It’s no secret that some kids and teenagers get too much screen time in any given day. And that could mean health issues down the road.

According to a study published in the Journal of American Heart Association, kids and teens who spend time on screens and get less sleep have a greater risk for future heart and metabolic issues like high blood sugar, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The study came from data collected from more than 1,000 kids and teenagers from Denmark. Teenagers with excess screen time were especially at risk. Screen time included either watching TV or using electronic devices for videogaming or socialization.

Natasha Noel, MD, a pediatric cardiologist with OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute, says studies like this are invaluable.

“I liked the fact that they highlighted that everyday habits could have an effect on the cardiac health of kids and teens,” she says. “I also liked that they didn't focus on weight alone, but they looked at other metabolic measures like high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.”

When kids are up late at night, obviously it can impact sleep, which regulates hormones, metabolism and blood pressure.

“When you have lack of sleep for whatever reason, and in this case, maybe late, prolonged screen times, it could increase your insulin resistance,” says Dr. Noel. “It could increase your appetite, your weight, blood pressure levels.”

Dr. Noel adds that more information is probably needed. Since the study reviewed a Danish population, Dr. Noel says the medical community would benefit from a larger and more diverse group of children for future studies. Another study could analyze what types of screens are used, the purposes for which they are used, and the long-term effects on the kids.

“Of the many things they told us was that not only more screen time, but more screen time occurring with less sleep,” she says. “That kind of had an additive effect on cardiovascular risk factors.”

More physical activity

The study indirectly illustrates the importance of kids and the need for physical activity. If they’re crashed in front of the TV watching movies or playing video games, it could be an indication they are not getting enough physical movement needed for cardiovascular health.

“Physical activity is one of the mainstays of treatment, especially when we do lifestyle management for high blood pressure and high cholesterol,” she says. But even with physical activity, that screen time and less sleep may be independent risk factors for cardiovascular health long term for kids.”

Dr. Noel emphasizes to her patients the importance of incorporating more movement into daily routines. She recommends walking or biking to school, playing outside with friends, or participating in sports or theater.

It’s a conversation Dr. Noel has with many of her patients and their parents. She stresses that she’s not against screen time. But it’s important to set some ground rules – limit the use of screens, no screens in the bedroom when it’s time for bed and keep a consistent bedtime.

“It's not about taking it out of the picture completely. It's about balance and limiting it,” she says. “Believe it or not, the habits children build today, how they eat, how they move, how they sleep and how they use technology, could affect their long-term cardiac health.”

For more information about pediatric cardiology services, visit OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Interview Clips

Tackling pediatric mental health

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 09:18:34 -0600

A new report from the Pew Research Center says children's' mental health is a top concern for parents. It comes as kids have been getting their first taste of a post-COVID, normal school year. But some pandemic habits – staring at a screen all day, lounging on the couch, snacking on junk food – may be hard to break. The physical concerns of these behaviors, like weight gain, are apparent. But experts say sloth-like behavior can impact your mental health too, leading to a lack of motivation and even full-on depression, self-harm, and even suicide.

Mia Harrier is the community health specialist at OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, Illinois. She and fellow OSF Mission Partner (employee) Jake Ozier have been taking the OSF Care-a-Van to youth groups, advocating for activities that can improve a kid’s mental health. The youngsters leave with a prize like a bocce ball kit to continue recreation.

“As adults, we've been able to make our adjustments [to COVID] because we've been around for a long time. Our brains are through developing,” Harrier says. “However, with children throughout the pandemic, it kind of took some of those opportunities that you typically have away. So they're in this place where they've experienced a lot of confusion, a lot of fear, a lot of uncertainty. So their responses to that have been really varied, and it can go into some things like undue anxiety or some depression.”

Here’s what Harrier says kids and parents need to remember:

Aim for 60 minutes of exercise per day. Harrier says playing around other kids is better than playing alone so the youngsters can gain social skills.
For ages 8 to 18, limit recreational screen time (like television or video games) to two hours per day. For ages 3 to 7, it’s one hour. Kids under two should avoid screen time and media devices altogether.
Replace sugary drinks with a healthier option. Harrier recommends cutting up fruits or vegetables and placing them in a cooler of water. Mix it around, and you have a fruit or vegetable-flavored drink.

“If they have younger siblings, it's good for them to know and helps them to be a little bit more responsible for these things that we're teaching them,” Harrier says.

As a former teacher, Harrier knows all about short attention spans in children. So when it comes to getting that message about mental health care across, she advises parents and educators to make it a two-way conversation.

“Making sure that they're really engaged, that we're asking them questions for them to respond to,” Harrier says. “We're asking them questions like ‘what do you think about this?’ or ‘what's your opinion?’ So, making it very much about them and where they stand on all of this.”

Harrier adds that repeating the message about good habits as kids age reinforces that they’re the right things to do.

If a child you know is showing signs of a mental health issue, Harrier recommends talking to your primary care provider or a behavioral health navigator (BHN). BHN is free service in all the communities OSF HealthCare serves. It aims to get people on the right track to recovery and can provide advice on things like insurance and transportation to appointments.

If a child is in crisis, such as talking about or carrying out self-harm, call 9-1-1 or 9-8-8, the new digits to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

OSF HealthCare Newsroom

Too much screen time, too little sleep could put kids’ health at risk

Interview Clips

Tackling pediatric mental health