Did you know screen time is contributing to sleep deprivation in kids? Maida Lynn Chen, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, discusses the links between mental health, sleep, and screen time.

How much sleep is needed: See below for the recommended amount of sleep needed, by age group.

Age group	Age range	Recommended hours of sleep
Infant	4-12 months	12-16 hours (including naps)
Toddler	1-2 years	11-14 hours (including naps)
Preschool	3-5 years	10-13 hours (including naps)
School-age	6-12 years	9-12 hours
Teen	13-18 years	8-10 hours
Adult	18 years and older	7 hours or more

source: Sleep Foundation

There is a correlation between mental health and sleep as research shows that poor sleep leads to poor mental health and vice versa. The statistical link between sleep, mental heath, and screen time is contributing to the largest mental health crisis of our time. In May 2023, the surgeon general issued a warning about the dangers of social media and encouraged our caregivers, teachers and policymakers to work together to create a safer online environment.

Learn more on this important topic by reading the full article.