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Health
Study Finds Excess Video Streaming Disrupts Sleep and Mental Health of Indian Youth
✍️ Amar Ujala · Punjab
🗓 12 Oct 2026, 08:17 AM
👁 17
A recent research report indicates that continuous video consumption is harming sleep patterns and mental‑well‑being among young Indians.
A research team from a leading Indian university surveyed over 2,000 individuals aged 15‑30 across several states. Participants reported the average daily time spent on video‑streaming platforms, ranging from short clips to full‑length movies. The study correlated higher screen time with delayed sleep onset, reduced total sleep duration, and increased reports of anxiety and low mood.
Statistical analysis showed that youths who watched videos for more than three hours a day were twice as likely to experience insomnia symptoms compared with those limiting usage to under an hour. Mental‑health questionnaires also revealed a significant rise in stress levels among heavy viewers.
Researchers caution that the immersive nature of algorithm‑driven content keeps users engaged late into the night, disrupting circadian rhythms. They recommend setting screen‑time limits, using blue‑light filters, and encouraging offline activities to restore healthier sleep patterns.
The findings add to growing evidence that digital entertainment, while popular, can become a public‑health concern if not managed responsibly. Health authorities are urged to incorporate media‑use guidelines into youth wellness programs.
Statistical analysis showed that youths who watched videos for more than three hours a day were twice as likely to experience insomnia symptoms compared with those limiting usage to under an hour. Mental‑health questionnaires also revealed a significant rise in stress levels among heavy viewers.
Researchers caution that the immersive nature of algorithm‑driven content keeps users engaged late into the night, disrupting circadian rhythms. They recommend setting screen‑time limits, using blue‑light filters, and encouraging offline activities to restore healthier sleep patterns.
The findings add to growing evidence that digital entertainment, while popular, can become a public‑health concern if not managed responsibly. Health authorities are urged to incorporate media‑use guidelines into youth wellness programs.