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As children are increasingly exposed to digital screens from a young age, a new study has raised concerns about the potential long-term effects of blue light—emitted by smartphones and tablets—on their development. According to research presented at the 62nd Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in Liverpool, prolonged exposure to blue light may accelerate bone growth and lead to early puberty.
The study, conducted on rats, is the first to explore the link between blue light exposure and physical development, particularly focusing on bone maturation. Researchers found that the rats exposed to blue light experienced accelerated bone growth and earlier signs of puberty, suggesting a possible connection between modern screen usage and the onset of puberty in children.
Dr. Aylin Kilinc Ugurlu, lead researcher from Gazi University in Turkey, emphasized the significance of the findings: “This is the first study to show how blue light could potentially influence physical growth and development, prompting further research into the effects of modern screen exposure on children’s growth.”
While the study was conducted on rats, Ugurlu cautioned that the results cannot be directly applied to humans. However, the data strongly suggests that long-term exposure to blue light could lead to early physical maturation, including premature closure of the growth plates in bones. This could result in shorter adult stature and earlier puberty.
Children typically experience rapid bone growth as they develop. The growth plates at the ends of bones, such as the femur, progressively elongate during childhood and adolescence. For most children, this growth stops when the bones solidify after puberty, with girls generally reaching their full height between ages 14 and 16 and boys between ages 16 and 18.
However, recent studies have highlighted a troubling trend of early puberty in both boys and girls. Children seem to reach puberty faster but may stop growing earlier than usual. One factor that researchers have pointed to is the increased exposure to blue light from devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.
The study involved 36 rats—18 males and 18 females—aged 21 days, divided into three groups. The rats were exposed to either a normal light cycle, six hours of blue light exposure, or 12 hours of blue light exposure until the onset of puberty. Researchers tracked the growth of their bones, including femur length, and observed that rats exposed to blue light exhibited faster bone growth and earlier bone maturation.
“This means their bones matured too soon, which could potentially cause them to be shorter than average as adults,” Dr. Ugurlu explained.
The findings highlight the need for further investigation into the effects of blue light exposure, particularly given the increasing reliance on screens in everyday life. While more studies are needed to confirm these results in humans, the research underscores the importance of considering the potential impact of excessive screen time on children’s health and development.
As digital devices become an integral part of modern life, experts recommend that parents and caregivers monitor children’s screen time and encourage breaks from screens to mitigate potential risks.
