A Mother's Heartbreak Spurs a Message on Nighttime Screen Use

Autumn Bushman was a lively fourth-grade cheerleader, known for turning her family's living room into an imaginary stage with her performances.

Her mother, Summer Bushman, recalled how Autumn's caring nature always put others before herself.

However, Autumn faced taunts and bullying at school due to her braces, which continued through her phone's text messages and social media.

Tragically, on March 21, in her Salem, Virginia, bedroom, 10-year-old Autumn ended her life. It was later discovered that she was on her smartphone just before the incident.

Summer recalls her daughter defending the need for her phone at bedtime, dismissing the idea it wasn't necessary.

A recent Virginia Tech study correlates nighttime screen activity and the availability of over-the-counter medicines to increased suicide attempts among teens and pre-teens.

The data highlights that a significant number used their phones at night, which disrupted their sleep.

Dr. Abhishek Reddy, leading the Virginia Tech study, asserts that screen use disrupts rest and could be detrimental to youngsters battling bullying.

Reddy advises parents to ensure devices are kept out of bedrooms, promote healthy nighttime routines, and limit medication access.

Reflecting on her loss, Summer is acutely aware of the absence in her life created by Autumn's passing.

She regrets providing a smartphone to Autumn and allowing nighttime usage.

Summer laments missing her daughter's future milestones, such as her first dance or wedding day, taken too soon by tragic events.