Is Using Electronics before Bed Bad?

Studies show that using electronic devices even as much as an hour before going to bed can prevent you from getting a good night's sleep. This is because the artificial light from electronic devices interferes with the body's production of melatonin, the hormone necessary for sleep.

More facts about sleep:

• Nearly 95 percent of Americans use some form of electronics within an hour of when they go to sleep, and less than half report getting a good night's sleep any day of the workweek.


• More than 50 percent of teenagers report sending or receiving text messages directly before going to bed every night, as do about 15 percent of those older than age 30.


• Nearly one-third of adults in the United States get less than six hours of sleep a night.