Are you a night owl? New Gen Z study ties staying up late to ‘problematic’ smartphone and social media use

Being a night owl has its perks. Scientists have found that people who habitually stay up late may be more creative, and perhaps even more intelligent, than those who go to bed and wake up earlier. But it also has its downsides: There’s also evidence that night owls may be more susceptible to psychiatric issues and cognitive decline than their early bird peers.

And now, a new study involving Gen Z participants adds to the reasons why staying up late may not be in your brain’s best interest.

In a paper published last week in the journal PLOS One, researchers found that Gen Z night owls appear to be more prone to “problematic” smartphone use and social media addiction than early birds. The reason why is particularly concerning: The researchers found that loneliness and anxiety were the big