{"id":10435,"date":"2024-10-30T12:00:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T09:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesolitaire.com\/blog\/?p=10435"},"modified":"2024-10-30T12:00:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T09:00:03","slug":"online-games-impact-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesolitaire.com\/blog\/online-games-impact-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"How Online Gaming Affects Sleep Patterns in College Students (And What to Do About It)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Passing classes and getting a high Grade Point Average (GPA) can make or break a student\u2019s career prospects. And getting a good night\u2019s sleep can be critical to achieving academic success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for many students, getting to bed on time can be a challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a pile of coursework and readings that have to get done. There are lectures to attend and all-night cramming sessions before midterms. And of course, the temptation to spend all night partying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also the first time a lot of students are out on their own. That independence can be a major adjustment. Without a school bus to catch in the morning and parents to make sure they turn in on time, it can be hard to get in a good rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in recent years, there\u2019s been another major obstacle to students getting the sleep they need. College students aren\u2019t just staying up late to study – they\u2019re also going on late-night gaming binges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s understandable, really. After a busy day spent in lecture halls and library study rooms, plenty of people will want to unwind with a gaming session – even if it goes past midnight. And lots of students will turn on their laptops to work on a term paper, only to load up an online game instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s normal and it feels natural, but it\u2019s also becoming a very serious issue. Late-night gaming is affecting students\u2019 sleep, which means it\u2019s also affecting their performance, their wellbeing, and even their safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Many College Students Are Overdoing It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not every college student is a gamer, of course. And many of those who game as a hobby are able to do it in moderation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for some, it\u2019s a habit they have trouble controlling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, a study from 2022<\/a> found that 4.6% of college students who played online games exhibited symptoms of internet gaming disorder (IGD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t heard of IGD, it\u2019s a diagnosis that has been added to the DSM-V (the diagnostic manual for mental health professionals) and is characterized by a pattern of gaming that is disruptive to a person\u2019s life. And that includes their sleep – studies show that people with IGD tend to sleep 5 hours a night or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gamers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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But that doesn\u2019t even capture the entire scope of the problem. Online gamers who don\u2019t exhibit signs of gaming disorder only sleep an average of 7 hours per night. And 18% of college-aged adults<\/a> report playing video games before bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a problem, since playing video games before bed has been shown to delay sleep by more than 20 minutes<\/a> on average. That might not sound like much, but if it happens every night, it can create a cumulative sleep debt that has a real impact on someone\u2019s day to day life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Late Night Gaming Can Be Harmful for College Students<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Not getting enough sleep is bad for anyone. Sleep deprivation comes with a host of adverse effects on physical and mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it can be even worse for college students, who need to be alert and attentive throughout a large portion of their day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the major issues associated with late-night online gaming in students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Researchers have found a significant correlation between sleep deprivation and stress levels<\/a> in college students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is troubling, since college is already full of stressors. There are strict deadlines, high-pressure exams, and schedules that are difficult to manage. Adding gaming-induced sleep deprivation to the mix simply makes things worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also interfere with their success. Students rank stress as the top factor<\/a> that has a negative impact on their academic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daytime Drowsiness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Half of all college students claim they experience daytime drowsiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t simply an uncomfortable feeling – it also interferes with their day to day activities. Feeling drowsy during the day means struggling to concentrate, perform tasks, and study effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower GPAs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Researchers have actually quantified the effect of sleep disruption on academic performance. Students who don\u2019t get enough sleep have an average GPA of 2.74, compared to a GPA of 3.24 for students who get a full night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a difference of 0.5, which might not look big on paper is astronomical in reality. It\u2019s the difference between being a C student or a B student. And for a lot of people attending college, it\u2019s the difference between a passing grade and a failing one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This slip in GPA isn\u2019t surprising, since being drowsy can affect concentration and motivation, both of which are important for earning a better grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it actually goes deeper than that. Sleep is also integral to memory consolidation. We learn things during our waking hours, but our brain stores that information when we\u2019re in deep sleep. Getting enough sleep, then, helps us remember all the facts and figures we take in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So even when a student spends all day studying and attending lectures, a lot less of that information will stick if they\u2019re not getting proper sleep. And that will make it much harder for them to succeed in their classes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risky Driving<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Late-night gaming binges don\u2019t just affect college students\u2019 mental health – it also puts them at physical risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is especially evident when it comes to driving. Being safe on the road requires the driver to be alert and aware of their surroundings, two things that are much more difficult when feeling sleepy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is concerning, since a survey from the National Sleep Foundation discovered that approximately half of all young adults drive while drowsy at least once per month<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more disturbing, 16% of students claim to have fallen asleep behind the wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pushing back sleep in order to play games can seem harmless. But these statistics show that it can actually put a student\u2019s life on the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who\u2019s Sleep Is at Risk?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While a large percentage of college students play online games, there are a few risk factors that make it more likely that it will affect their sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most prominent risk factors have to do with a student\u2019s background. If they have strained relationships with their parents, a history of substance abuse, or psychiatric disorders in the family, they\u2019re more likely to have trouble regulating their gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, gender doesn\u2019t appear to be a significant factor. While men are more likely to play online games, women and men are equally likely to exhibit symptoms of gaming disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Practice<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Risk factors aside, anyone can fall into disordered gaming patterns – especially in college. In fact, many students will take up gaming as a way of coping with the stress of studying and balancing all their coursework. This disrupts their sleep, which increases their stress levels even more – and that makes them spend even more time gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a vicious cycle, but one that can be broken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can Be Done to Help?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Clearly, sleep deprivation is a serious problem for people attending college. It\u2019s an even more prominent issue for gamers, since their hobby has a way of eating into their sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, there are some strategies that can help students get the sleep they need.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Advice for Students<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For students, the best thing to do is to improve their sleep hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mostly, that means avoiding video games at least one hour before heading to bed. Preferably, doing without screens altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a simple step, but it does wonders for sleep quality and ensuring a restful night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students struggling with compulsive gaming behavior can also seek counseling. Most campuses have support staff who can help with gaming disorder and assist students in establishing better sleep habits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Advice for Administrators<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

College officials can\u2019t force students to go to bed at a reasonable hour. But there are some measures that can encourage everyone on campus to get the sleep they need, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n