A gentle glow for the dark

Night light screen: a gentle glow for the dark

A soft glow can make the difference between a child settling in the dark and calling out every ten minutes. This night light screen turns a phone or tablet into a dim, warm light with an optional animated starry scene, adjustable brightness and an auto-off timer. There is nothing to install and it works offline, which makes it handy for travel and power cuts.

Searches such as "night light for kids", "red night light for sleep" and "dim screen night light" come from parents of children who are afraid of the dark, and from adults who need a little light for night feeds or trips to the bathroom.

How to use the night light

Choose a colour, such as warm amber or soft red, and set the brightness as low as is comfortable. Add the starry scene if you like some gentle movement. Set a timer, for example 20 or 30 minutes, so the screen switches off after your child falls asleep. Place the device on a stand away from the bed, with the volume off.

Which light colour is best at night?

Cool blue-white light suppresses melatonin the most. Warm, dim light, particularly amber and red, has less effect on the body clock, which is why they are common in night lights and why night mode on phones shifts to warmer tones. For night feeds and nappy changes, a dim red or amber light lets you see without waking the baby fully.

Helping a child who is afraid of the dark

Fear of the dark is normal in early childhood. A night light, a predictable routine and calm reassurance help. Talk about the fear in the daytime, check the room together and avoid scary media in the evening. Gradually reduce the brightness over weeks and use the timer to give a child time to fall asleep before the light goes off. The bedtime countdown and bedtime stories are good companions.

Screen night lights: pros and cons

A screen is bright for its size and uses battery, so it is not a perfect replacement for a plug-in night light. It is a good backup and a handy option away from home. Keep the brightness low, the screen out of reach of small hands and the device plugged in if it will stay on for a long time. For babies, follow safe sleep guidance and keep cables and devices well away from the cot.

Combining with sound and breathing

Many children settle more easily when a soft sound is added. Try the sleep sound mixer at low volume from a separate speaker. Older children can try the breathing circle before the light is turned down. For adults who wake in the night, keeping the light dim and warm helps you get back to sleep faster than switching on the main light.

Night light and sleep tracking

If you use a sleep tracker, look at whether bright light at night is linked to later sleep onset. Many apps and devices record when you are awake in the night and some measure room light. See our guides to the best sleep tracker and the sleep cycle app for how these features work.

Setting the right brightness

Begin with the lowest setting and raise it only if needed. In a dark room even a dim screen is bright. If you can read a book by it, it is too bright for sleep. Set the colour to amber or red, place the device on the floor or a shelf, and turn the screen away from the bed.

Power cuts and camping

Because the night light works offline, it is a handy backup in a power cut. Keep a charged phone or tablet nearby. If you are camping, use the lowest brightness to save battery and set the timer so the screen switches off.

Night lights for adults

Adults who wake at night benefit from a dim, warm light to find the bathroom without full light. Bright white light can make it harder to fall back asleep. Keep a warm, low light at hand and avoid checking your phone.

Light and the body clock

The brain contains light-sensitive cells that are most responsive to blue wavelengths. Exposure in the evening tells the body clock that the day is continuing, suppressing melatonin and delaying sleep. Warm, dim light has far less effect. That is why the best bedroom lighting in the evening and night is low, amber and indirect. The night light screen follows this principle: choose the warmest colour that still lets you see.

Helping your child get used to the dark

If your child relies on a light, reduce it step by step. Lower the brightness a little each week, move the device further from the bed or shorten the timer by five minutes at a time. Praise the child for brave nights. Add other comforts such as a soft toy, a favourite blanket or a story from the bedtime story corner. Most children grow out of needing a light as they get older.

Safety notes

Use the night light only on a stable surface, away from water, bedding and curtains. Phones and tablets can get warm when charging for long periods, so do not cover them. Cables are a hazard for young children, so use a wireless setup or keep the cable well out of reach. For babies, follow your health provider's safe sleep advice and keep all devices outside the cot.

Frequently asked questions