THUNDER BAY – LIVING – If you find yourself scrolling endlessly through your phone late at night, you’re not alone — and you might be part of a growing group at higher risk for problematic smartphone and social media use.
New research from the University of Portsmouth and the University of Surrey reveals that young adult “night owls” — those who naturally stay up later — are significantly more likely to develop addictive behaviours around technology. But the root cause isn’t just screen time — it’s loneliness and anxiety.
The study, which surveyed 407 adults aged 18 to 25, found that those with an evening chronotype were more likely to report excessive or compulsive smartphone and social media use. That includes behaviours like:
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Feeling anxious without access to their phone,
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Neglecting responsibilities due to excessive use, and
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Compulsively checking notifications or social feeds.
The findings are especially relevant for college students — including those at Confederation College in Thunder Bay — where late-night habits are common, and access to support may be limited during off-hours.
A Vicious Cycle of Isolation and Digital Coping
Dr. Anna-Stiina Wallinheimo, one of the study’s lead authors, explains that late-night smartphone use is often a coping mechanism, not just a distraction:
“Young adults who are more active in the evening often feel socially out of sync. This leads to loneliness and anxiety, which they try to ease through social media and smartphones — but that actually deepens the problem.”
Rather than just telling students to cut back on screen time, the researchers emphasize addressing the emotional roots behind this behaviour. Night owls may be turning to technology at times of peak vulnerability — late at night, when mental health support is harder to access.
Why It Matters for Northwestern Ontario
While the research is UK-based, the implications hit close to home. In Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario, youth and post-secondary students already face barriers in accessing timely mental health care. Limited after-hours services, geographic isolation, and the stress of balancing school and work make young people particularly vulnerable to these patterns.
Local youth advocacy groups have noted rising concerns around digital burnout, especially among young women, who are statistically more likely to report social media-related anxiety.
Call for Targeted Support and Awareness
Dr. Simon Evans, co-author of the study, urges institutions to shift their approach:
“Rather than demonizing smartphones, we should focus on helping young adults manage loneliness and anxiety — especially at night when support is scarce.”
The researchers are calling for:
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Late-night support resources for students,
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Education on healthy tech habits,
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Workshops on emotional coping strategies, and
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Greater awareness of how sleep-wake patterns affect mental health.
What Can Be Done in Thunder Bay?
For communities like Thunder Bay, this study reinforces the need for evening mental health programming, expanded online support services, and on-campus wellness initiatives that consider students’ real-life routines.
Programs that blend cultural support, peer networks, and technology education may prove especially effective in serving Indigenous youth and students from rural or remote backgrounds.
As the school year ramps up, local educators and mental health advocates might take this research as a wake-up call — quite literally — to rethink how we support students after dark.
