But researchers are now revealing that the particular light emitted by the digital screens of smartphones and tablets could also be linked to early puberty in boys and girls.
A recent study coming out of the University of Genoa reported a significant increase in cases of precocious puberty in girls during the Covid-19 pandemic – almost as much between March 2020 and June 2021 as in the previous four years.
Among the risk factors suggested by the researchers were poor eating habits during the health crisis, reduced physical activity, sleep disorders and increased time spent on screens.
Now another new study reveals that the blue light emitted by these same screens could be directly linked to precocious puberty.
Presented at the 61st annual meeting of the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE), this new research sought to determine whether the blue light to which children are increasingly exposed could lead to precocious puberty.
A phenomenon that is “very difficult to assess in children.” Which is why the team of researchers from Ankara Bilkent City Hospital and Gazi University in Turkiye, analysed the effects of blue light on 18 21-day-old male rats.
The rats were divided into three groups: six were exposed to a normal light cycle (natural day-night lighting rhythm), six rats to six hours of blue light, and the final group to 12 hours of blue light.
Impact on puberty and reproductive system
Their work, published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, suggests that the first signs of puberty occur earlier in male rats exposed to blue light.
In particular, the researchers conclude that the longer the rats were exposed to blue light, the earlier their puberty started, and that it also had a negative impact on sperm development and testicular tissue, which was damaged.
In view of these findings, scientists believe that the amount of screen time children are exposed to could play a role in early puberty, necessitating action to prevent such issues.
However, the use of male rats for this study, rather than children, was a major limitation – something that was acknowledged by the authors of this work.
“I want to emphasise that this is a rat study and direct results cannot be interpreted for humans. However, we provide an experimental foundation to further investigate the health consequences of ever-increasing screen time in modern society,” explains Dr. Aylin Kilinç Uğurlu of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, in a statement.
Just over a year ago, the same group of researchers carried out similar research on female rats, reaching similar conclusions regarding an association between blue light and early puberty.
Scientists now need to investigate further whether this specific light can have long-term consequences.
“We aim to expose both male and female rats to blue light before puberty and understand its long-term effects on reproductive organ damage and fertility.
“Ultimately, this research could lead to preventative measures and contribute to the ongoing discourse on how modern lifestyles affect physiological development and long-term health,” concluded Dr Aylin Kilinç Uğurlu.
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