Excess Screen Time Triggers Early Puberty, Rapid Bone Growth, Potentially Limiting Height: Study

The researchers noted that rats exposed to blue light had faster growth, particularly in their bones, and started puberty earlier compared to those in standard light conditions." (Credit: Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik)

Excessive screen time is already known to affect physical and mental health, but researchers have now found that it may also accelerate puberty and bone growth in children, raising concerns about its impact on long-term development.

Results of a recent rat study revealed that exposure to blue light, such as from smartphones or tablets, may accelerate bone growth and bone age in rats, leading to early puberty. The study presented at the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology Meeting in Liverpool highlights how exposure to screens from a very young age affects children's height and physical maturity.