E-Readers with Light Disrupt Sleep and Circadian Rhythms More Than Paper Books
Do Light-Emitting E-Readers Disrupt Sleep More Than Traditional Paper Books?
Yes, significantly. Research demonstrates that using light-emitting e-readers before bedtime disrupts sleep and circadian rhythms much more than reading traditional paper books. Studies show that people using backlit e-readers take longer to fall asleep, experience reduced REM sleep, have delayed melatonin onset, and feel less alert the following morning compared to those reading paper books. The blue-enriched light from e-reader screens suppresses melatonin production and delays circadian timing, creating a cascade of sleep disruption that extends into the next day.