- Alexandra Whitwam - Community Engagement Manager, Telstra Foundation
We all know sleep is important—but for young people, it’s everything. It fuels learning, memory, mood, and even brain development. But in a world where phones are our alarm clocks, our social lives, and our entertainment, getting a good night’s sleep isn’t always easy.
Sleep does more for you than just help you to recover from your day. Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your overall mental, emotional and physical health, but sometimes screen time can interfere with a good night’s sleep.
Our Australian Youth Digital Index found that while over half of young people surveyed (55%) feel they’ve achieved a healthy balance between their online and offline worlds, for nearly two in five, being online is negatively affecting their sleep.
Recent research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows that nearly half of school-aged children in Australia are struggling with sleep. And one of the biggest culprits is screens in bed.
The Teens and Tech report from the Gonski Institute backs this up, showing that digital habits are deeply tied to wellbeing. While tech can be a powerful tool for connection and creativity, it can also disrupt sleep patterns—especially when used right before bed.
So what can young people do?
- 📵 Try to keep phones out of bed (literally).
- 🌙 Use night mode or blue light filters in the evening.
- ⏳ Set a wind-down routine that includes 30 minutes of screen-free time before sleep.
- 🧠 Remember: sleep isn’t just rest—it’s brain fuel.
