Disruption of adolescents' circadian clock: The vicious circle of media use, exposure to light at night, sleep loss and risk behaviors. Issue 4 (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Touitou, Yvan; Touitou, David; Reinberg, Alain
• Is Part Of: Journal of physiology -Paris. Volume 110:Issue 4(2016)Part B
• Page Start: 467
• Page End: 479
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Electronic media use -- Light at night -- LEDs -- Clock disruption -- Melatonin -- Adolescent sleep -- Sleepiness -- Fatigue -- Chronotype -- Internet use -- Cellular phone -- Rhythm desynchronization -- Alcohol -- Smoking -- Binge drinking -- Substance abuse; Physiology -- Periodicals; 571.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2017.05.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0928-4257

Abstract

Highlights: Teens are spending increasing amounts of time on electronic media at night. LED bulbs of these media are enriched with a blue light component very active on the circadian clock. Adolescent sleep becomes irregular, shortened and delayed. Sleep loss is associated with several health issues e.g. fatigue, poor academic achievement, and behavioral issues. Engagement in risk behaviors such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other illicit drug use has multiple negative health consequences. A sleep education program could improve sleep-promoting behavior and sleep patterns. Adolescent sleep should be considered as a matter of public health. Abstract: Although sleep is a key element in adolescent development, teens are spending increasing amounts of time online with health risks related to excessive use of electronic media (computers, smartphones, tablets, consoles…) negatively associated with daytime functioning and sleep outcomes. Adolescent sleep becomes irregular, shortened and delayed in relation with later sleep onset and early waking time due to early school starting times on weekdays which results in rhythm desynchronization and sleep loss. In addition, exposure of adolescents to the numerous electronic devices prior to bedtime has become a great concern because LEDs emit much more blue light than white incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs and have therefore a greater impact on the biological clock. A large number of adolescents move to evening chronotype and experience a misalignment between biological and social rhythms which, added to sleep loss, results in e.g. fatigue, daytime sleepiness, behavioral problems and poor academic achievement. This paper on adolescent circadian disruption will review the sensitivity of adolescents to light including LEDs with the effects on the circadian system, the crosstalk between the clock and the pineal gland, the role of melatonin, and the behavior of some adolescents (media use, alcohol consumption, binge drinking, smoking habits, stimulant use…). Lastly, some practical recommendations and perspectives are put forward. The permanent social jet lag resulting in clock misalignment experienced by a number of adolescents should be considered as a matter of public health.