Should a child's bedroom have a TV?
Research has found that children with screens available in their bedroom tend to sleep less and sleep worse. The simplest step: charge tablets and phones in the living room overnight, and move the TV and computer out of the child's bedroom.
Some researchWhy it feels uncomfortable
A review pooling many studies found that children with TVs, computers or phones in their bedroom slept less and had poorer sleep, and the authors recommended keeping screens out of children's bedrooms (Saunders et al. 2022). The authors also note the studies were mostly observational and the evidence quality is low, so we can only say the two are linked, not that screens definitely cause poor sleep.
What tradition says
There's no matching traditional saying; we list this one for how it feels to live with.
Three ways to fix it
- Do it nowSet a family rule: an hour before bed, every tablet and phone goes to charge in the living room.
- Move some furnitureMove the TV and computer out of the child's bedroom into the living room or a study, where an adult is around when they're used.
- If you can't change itIf you can't move them yet, set a device bedtime that locks the screen automatically, and switch screens to a dim, warm setting before bed.
FAQ
My child needs a computer for online classes. What then?
Use it in the study or living room during the day and leave it there at night. When the bedroom is just for sleeping and reading, it's easier to build the habit of “bedroom means bedtime”.
Is an e-reader like a Kindle OK?
E-ink screens don't give off bright light, so they're much better than a tablet. It still helps to set a time to put it down.
Related questions
Sources
This page draws on traditional ideas about the home and on environmental psychology research. It is for everyday reference, makes no predictions, and is not medical advice. If you sleep badly for a long time, please talk to a doctor.