Power light pollution teens awake?

A study at the PH Heidelberg with more than 1.500 students in the Rhine-Neckar had now worldwide for the first time a connection to.

The brighter it is at night in residential areas, the later teens go to bed. This has huge implications on their sleep patterns, their wellbeing and their school performance. A study at the University of Education Heidelberg with more than 1.500 students in the Rhine-Neckar had this relationship now worldwide for the first time after. At the result, the interdisciplinary research team came through a balance of night compared with results of a questionnaire study.

"Everyone has slightly different sleeping and waking times," says Christian Vollmer, who carried out the study as part of a cooperation between the departments of biology (Prof. Dr. Christoph Randler) and geography (Prof. Dr. Ulrich Michel). Especially during puberty, this internal clock shifts well into the evening and night hours. This results in considerable daytime sleepiness in young people. "This in turn has a negative impact on school performance, drug use and health," Vollmer continues.

Light is the strongest timer for the human body clock.

Adolescents who sleep in urban neighborhoods that are brightly lit at night have a significantly later circadian rhythm than adolescents in darker, rural areas. However, the shift in the internal clock is not only influenced by night-time light: Vollmer found out that the frequent and late use of electronic screen media also has a strong influence on the circadian rhythm. Adolescents with a later rhythm are also more likely to consume stimulants such as coffee, alcohol or cigarettes.

To ensure that young people's inner clocks do not shift even further into the night, the authors of the study recommend that city planners use night-time light sources sparingly when redesigning residential areas. Parents should also ensure that the room is adequately darkened. The authors also advise the young people not to use any electronic screen media (mobile phone, computer, television) in their room at night, as the blue screen light also keeps them awake.

Source: Heidelberg [ PH ]