Heads, deputies and pastoral leads from schools across the South East gathered at Cranleigh on March 8th to hear experts from the fields of neuroscience, mental wellness and adolescent psychology discuss the impact of technology on the mental health of teenagers. The conference brought together experts and educators with an interest in the impact of technology on teenage mental health, to share ideas and experiences, to learn from pioneering work going on in this area and to create a network of links. Held in partnership with leading mental health charity, The Charlie Waller Trust, the one-day conference featured keynote speeches and workshops. Further Information at: https://www.cranleigh.org/our-school/academics/resources/cranleigh-training/technology-teenage-mental-health-conference/

1. Dr Dean Burnett

2. Exact purpose of sleep still not known, but
definitely essential
• Allows integration and ‘reinforcement’ of brain
connections and systems (maintenance)
• Bodily rest and repair
• Mood and cognitive functioning

3. Birth 6 yrs 14 yrs
Synaptogenesis & Pruning

4. • Chaotic Hormone development further
disrupting the circadian rhythms and
associated regulatory systems
• Societal demands at odds with their
needs (“Don’t be lazy!” “Get a job!”
“You need to study!” etc.)
• Uneven brain maturation means
novelty seeking, socialisation and
emotional salience are stronger than
they ‘should’ be

6. • Blue wavelength light shown to more
effectively suppress melatonin, the
‘sleep hormone’
• Stimulation and novelty keeps brain
‘active’, delays rest and slow-down
• Convenience means harder to ignore
them, particularly for teens
A lot of focus these days is on how technology and devices disturb sleep. A
lot of it is scaremongering, but not all of it

7. Anxiety, be it clinical or more generic, keeps a
brain active and contemplative, in stressful
ways, disrupting sleep and causing more anxiety,
and the cycle continues, especially for
teenagers

8. A prominent source of anxiety for teenagers
• Lack of sleep has considerable cognitive effects,
notably on;
• Attention and focus
• Short term ‘working’ memory
• Long term memory
• Decision making skills
• All key faculties for academic achievement, and
self-sustaining for anxiety and stress

9. SOME BASIC PRINCIPLES
From the National Sleep Foundation
• Limited naps (<30 mins)
• Exercise, even if just 10 mins (timing it is
important)
• No late stimulants
• Set bedtimes and routines
• Natural light
• Nice environment
• Try to limit ‘device’ use

10. • The ‘natural’ chemical hormone that
controls our circadian rhythms
• Easily available, relatively cheap,
safe
• Moderately effective, studies reveal
it;
• Reduces time taken to fall asleep when
lights go out
• Limits sleep phase syndrome (where sleep
is delayed by 2 or more hours beyond the
socially acceptable or conventional
bedtime)
• Efficacy will vary between
individuals

11. The Happy Brain
(released May 3rd 2018)
The Idiot Brain
(Out now)
Deanburnett.com
@garwboy