A narrative review of digital screen time and sleep quality among young adults in India

Shiza Khan; Anwar Siddiqui; Fareha Husain; Mohammad Yasir Zubair

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20254006

Authors

Shiza Khan Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
Anwar Siddiqui Department of Physiology, Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
Fareha Husain Department of Physiology, Veerangana Avantibai Lodhi, Autonomous State Medical College, Etah, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
Mohammad Yasir Zubair Department of Community Medicine, Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20254006

Keywords:

Screen time, Sleep quality, Adolescents, Young adults, Digital devices, Circadian rhythm

Abstract

In India, the digital revolution has transformed daily life patterns, with smartphone penetration and internet usage reaching historic levels. However, this digital transformation has raised significant concerns about adverse health effects, particularly regarding sleep quality. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from 30 studies published between 2010 and 2025 to explore the complex relationship between digital screen time and sleep quality among young adults aged 18–35 years in India. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and this review was synthesised. The findings reveal that young adults in India spend an average of 4–6 hours daily on digital devices, with smartphones accounting for the majority of screen exposure. Excessive screen time was consistently and significantly associated with multiple dimensions of sleep impairment, including delayed sleep onset, reduced sleep duration, poor overall sleep quality, and irregular sleep schedules. Notable gender differences emerged, with men more likely to engage in prolonged gaming sessions and women spending more time on social media, leading to distinct patterns of sleep disturbances. India-specific cultural and social factors, including academic pressure, professional demands, late-night entertainment consumption patterns, and social connectivity norms, further exacerbated the problem. The review concludes that excessive screen time represents a growing public health concern in India with implications extending beyond sleep to encompass mental health, academic and professional performance, and overall well-being.

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