Researchers Advise Limiting Kids Exposure to Blue Light from Screens due to “hormone-altering effects”

By B.N. Frank

Numerous studies have already warned that exposure to blue light from LED lighting, TVs, and other screens is biologically and environmentally harmful (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). Exposure risks include accelerated aging in human adults and children as well.

From Study Finds:

Excess blue light exposure from screens can trigger early puberty in children

ROME, Italy — Smartphones and tablets are causing early puberty in children, according to new research. Researchers say the devices emit blue light which reduces melatonin, a hormone that slows sexual maturity.

The scientists add that kids should not use digital devices before bed. Humans secrete the chemical at night, in response to darkness.

“Although not conclusive, we would advise that the use of blue light emitting devices should be minimized in pre-pubertal children, especially in the evening when exposure may have the most hormone-altering effects,” says lead author Dr. Aylin Kilinç Uğurlu from Ankara City Hospital in a media release.

The study reports that blue light-emitting devices also fuel reproductive hormones and trigger physical changes in ovaries. Worryingly, they may even trigger infertility. “In the last 10 years, blue light (BL) sources such as tablets and phones has increased in every age group,” the researchers write in their study. “Especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, screen exposure has also increased in childhood.”

The results have implications for a phenomenon that has been baffling pediatricians for years. On average, girls begin puberty around the age of 11 and boys 12. However, there are signs they are undergoing the change a year or more sooner than decades ago. Some girls are even developing breasts at age six or seven. Obesity, chemicals and stress have been the main culprits.

Experiments show that long periods of exposure to blue light speeds up puberty in female rats. The time-point is roughly equivalent, relative to life expectancy. Hormonal and ovulation changes during pre-puberty and puberty are also comparable. The findings, presented at the 60th annual meeting of the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, are likely to apply to humans. They could affect childhood development and future fertility.

Study authors are calling for further investigations. “We have found that blue light exposure, sufficient to alter melatonin levels, is also able to alter reproductive hormone levels and cause earlier puberty onset in our rat model. In addition, the longer the exposure, the earlier the onset,” Dr. Uğurlu says.

‘Study is the first to show effects of blue light exposure on puberty’

Screen time is already known to disrupt sleep in children and adults. It affects the body clock by inhibiting the evening rise in melatonin. The hormone prepares us for rest and sleep. Levels are higher before puberty, delaying its start.

Puberty is a complex process that involves coordination of several body systems and hormones, Dr. Uğurlu says. Several recent studies have reported early onset for girls, particularly during the pandemic.

The link between blue light and reduced melatonin suggests increased screen time are playing a role in the reported increase, the study authors say.

Dr. Uğurlu and colleagues divided immature 21-day-old lab animals into three groups of six, exposing them to a normal light cycle or six or 12 hours of blue light. The first signs of puberty occurred significantly sooner in the blue light group. The longer the duration, the earlier the onset. They also had less melatonin and elevated levels of estradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH). The former thickens the womb and breasts while the latter spurs ovulation.

After 12 hours of blue light, there were indications of cell damage and inflammation in the ovaries.

The researchers plan to investigate this connection. It could have long-term impacts on reproductive health and fertility. They will also assess if setting computers and phones to warmer “night mode” colors such as yellow dampens the effects observed. “As this a rat study, we can’t be sure that these findings would be replicated in children but these data suggest that blue light exposure could be considered as a risk factor for earlier puberty onset,” Uğurlu adds.

Two years ago, a global study found development of breasts in girls has crept forwards by about three months per decade since the 1970s.

“Our study is the first to show the effects of blue light exposure on puberty. In our study, we showed that exposure of blue light and the duration of exposure lead to early puberty,” the researchers conclude.

Unfortunately, despite research and warnings (see 1, 2), over the years, communities worldwide have been installing Blue Light emitting LED bulbs in streetlights and continue to do so. In fact, earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it will also provide funding for LED lightbulbs to be installed in low-income homes and the Biden Administration took additional steps to end the production of safer bulbs. Not cool, right?

Of course, research has also determined that exposure to electromagnetic radiation from screens and other sources of wireless is biologically harmful as well. Exposure risks also include that it can speed up the aging process. This being the case, reducing screen use and exposure obviously has significant advantages for people who want to age naturally and gracefully.