A recent study conducted on rats suggests that prolonged exposure to blue light, such as that emitted from smartphones and tablets, may lead to early puberty. The research highlights the potential link between blue light exposure, accelerated bone growth, and advanced bone age, which could increase the risk of premature puberty.

Presented at the 62nd Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in Liverpool, this study is the first to investigate the connection between blue light, bone growth, and pubertal development. “This is the first study to show how blue light could potentially influence physical growth and development, prompting further research into the effects of modern screen exposure on children’s growth,” explained Dr Aylin Kılınc Ugurlu from Gazi University, Turkey.

While the study was conducted on rats, Dr Ugurlu shares that it provides valuable insights but cannot yet confirm whether the findings apply to humans. However, the data suggests that prolonged blue light exposure accelerates physical growth and the maturation of growth plates, potentially leading to early puberty.

During childhood, long bones such as the femur grow and elongate, determining height. Girls typically reach their full height between ages 14 and 16, while boys do so between 16 and 18. Recent research indicates a concerning rise in early puberty for both girls and boys, often linked to environmental factors like blue light exposure. Early puberty may cause rapid initial growth but can result in shorter adult stature due to premature bone maturation.

The study examined 18 male and 18 female rats, all 21 days old, divided into three groups. These groups were exposed to different light conditions: a normal light cycle, six hours of blue light, or 12 hours of blue light daily. The researchers observed faster growth, particularly in bone length, in rats exposed to blue light.

“This means their bones matured too soon, which could potentially cause them to be shorter than average as adults,” said Dr Ugurlu, emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand how blue light may affect children’s growth and development. This study underlines the importance of investigating the long-term effects of screen exposure on physical and hormonal changes, urging caution in children’s screen usage.

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