Scrolling through headlines before bed may feel harmless, but new survey data suggest it could be sabotaging your sleep. According to a poll from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 38% of U.S. adults say reading news on their phone or tablet at night makes their sleep worse. Half of adults report using a screen in bed daily, and one in four admit they prioritize screen time over getting enough rest.
The problem isn’t just the content — it’s the biology. Blue light emitted from phones suppresses melatonin, the hormone that signals your body it’s time to sleep. Add emotionally charged news into the mix and your nervous system may remain in a heightened, stress-driven state long after you turn off the screen.
This disrupts your circadian rhythm and makes it harder to enter deep, restorative sleep. Over time, chronic sleep disruption is linked to increased risks of heart disease, metabolic dysfunction and impaired cognitive performance.
The solution is simple but requires discipline. Power down devices at least 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Keep phones out of the bedroom, disable notifications and replace scrolling with a calming wind-down routine such as reading a physical book, stretching or journaling. In an era of constant digital stimulation, protecting your sleep may be one of the most powerful health decisions you make.
SOURCE:
US News, February 25, 2026