Researchers have confirmed what many have already suspected; teens with a television or computer in their bedroom get less sleep. Sleep is important for everyone, and especially for growing children. During sleep, restorative processes take place in the brain. According to the National Sleep foundation, teens need 8.5 to 9.25 hours of sleep each night. Researchers in one study found that teens with TVs or computers in their bedrooms slept less during the school year than those without such electronics in their bedrooms.

Researchers from the University of Haifa studied 444 middle school students with an average age of 14. The students without TVs or computers in their rooms slept about 7 hours and 45 minutes each night. Those with TVs or computers went to bed about one half-hour later and slept about 7 hours and 15 minutes each night. Overall, teens with a TV or computer in their bedroom used each device about one hour more per day than teens without. The bottom line is obvious; if you think your teens aren’t getting enough sleep, take the TV and computer out of their bedrooms. If you suspect your teen has a sleep disorder, talk to your teen’s doctor.