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Reading on a bright screen is the same as print

Grade B · ModerateHuman reviewed

What people say

“A phone or e-reader before bed has no real effect if I feel sleepy.”

Comes up 5/5 in community conversations

What the evidence says

Grade B · Moderate

A crossover laboratory study found that evening use of a light-emitting e-reader delayed circadian timing and reduced next-morning alertness compared with print reading.

Verdict: contradicted

Research record

What this verdict is based on

Sources are linked for inspection. Study results are summarized for general information, not personal medical direction.

randomized crossover laboratory study · n=12

Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2015

Open PubMed record DOI 10.1073/pnas.1418490112

What this verdict is based on

Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness

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