Smartphones' heavy toll on kids' sleep – and health

+ storm surge and Hurricane Idalia; take a nap US Edition - Today's top story: Screen time is contributing to chronic sleep deprivation in tweens and teens – a pediatric sleep expert explains how critical sleep is to kids' mental health [View in browser]( US Edition | 30 August 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( As I write this, I’m closely monitoring reports of Hurricane Idalia’s track across central Florida into Georgia this afternoon after making landfall this morning. For background on how extremely warm waters likely [contributed to this storm’s intensity, see this story]( by Florida International University hurricane scientist Haiyan Jiang from earlier this week, and a worthwhile [explainer on what storm surge is]( from Penn State meteorologist Anthony C. Didlake Jr. A lot has been written about how smartphones and social media can harm children’s mental health, but University of Washington physician Maida Lynn Chen hones in on a less-discussed problem: [screens’ detrimental impact on sleep](. As she notes, making good-quality sleep a high priority is central to overall mental and physical health, but the ubiquity of screens is contributing to widespread sleep deprivation, which can lead to serious health issues, such as childhood and adolescent obesity. She lists a few good practices for getting good sleep in our screen-dependent lives – something adults should practice as well. Anyone who has spotted a fox or coyote in suburbs or cities can attest to the growing presence of carnivores in recent decades, which also includes big animals like wolves, bears and mountain lions. University of Michigan conservation scientist Neil Carter makes a case for federal policies to encourage people to [learn how to coexist with these animals](, rather than killing them to control them. Pointing to a number of local projects, he notes that relatively simple behavior changes, such as properly disposing of trash and erecting barriers to separate livestock from carnivores in risky places and times, can bring benefits to both wildlife and the communities they inhabit. Also in this week’s science news: - [The many good reasons for taking a nap]( - [Lead poisoning affects Idaho decades after mine fire]( - [Trout Unlimited’s inclusive and positive message on conservation]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin LaMonica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Today's newsletter supported by [Anthropocene magazine]( When teens can’t sleep, they often scroll online well into the night, which only exacerbates the problem. ljubaphoto/E+ via Getty Images [Screen time is contributing to chronic sleep deprivation in tweens and teens – a pediatric sleep expert explains how critical sleep is to kids’ mental health]( Maida Lynn Chen, University of Washington Exposure to screens before bedtime can contribute to chronic sleep deprivation, which raises the risk for anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. A federal policy could reduce instances of conflict between people and carnivores, like coyotes. Jason Klassi/iStock via Getty Images [Policy framework for coexisting with wolves, bears and mountain lions could benefit both people and the environment]( Neil Carter, University of Michigan Setting guidelines for human coexistence with carnivores usually falls to local community leaders. An expert explains why the federal government should step in. Short naps at the right time of day can benefit alertness and overall health in myriad ways. Tara Moore/Digital Vision via Getty Images [Short naps can improve memory, increase productivity, reduce stress and promote a healthier heart]( Steven Bender, Texas A&M University Naps can be rejuvenating and beneficial to attentiveness and overall health, but the length of naps and the time of day are key. 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The hotter it gets, the harder it is for machines to keep their cool. - [Why do fingers get wrinkly after a long bath or swim? A biomedical engineer explains]( Guy German, Binghamton University, State University of New York Recent research suggests blood vessels are the key to why fingers and toes turn pruny and pale after being submerged for a while. - [Giraffes range across diverse African habitats − we’re using GPS, satellites and statistics to track and protect them]( Michael Brown, Smithsonian Institution The largest ever giraffe tracking study shows how these massive animals are responding to human pressures across many different habitats throughout Africa. - [Many people think cannabis smoke is harmless − a physician explains how that belief can put people at risk]( Beth Cohen, University of California, San Francisco Clinical trials have demonstrated the health benefits of cannabis for certain conditions, but many aren’t testing smoked or vaped forms. Research on cannabis smoke is raising concerns. - [Medication can help you make the most of therapy − a psychologist and neuroscientist explains how]( - [50 years after the Bunker Hill mine fire caused one of the largest lead-poisoning cases in US history, Idaho’s Silver Valley is still at risk]( - [What social change movements can learn from fly fishing: The value of a care-focused message]( - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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