My child watches cartoons right before sleep and then has nightmares. Could there be a link? 

Parenting Perspective 

Yes, there is very likely a connection. What a child’s mind takes in just before falling asleep can profoundly influence the tone and content of their dreams. Fast-paced or emotionally intense cartoon scenes, even those that seem harmless to an adult, can over-stimulate a child’s brain, making it much harder for their mind to settle into a deep and restful sleep. For many children, particularly those who are more sensitive, this lingering mental activity can manifest as vivid or frightening dreams. 

The Connection Between Screens and Dreams 

During the initial stages of sleep, the brain works to process the images, sounds, and emotions of the last few hours. The bright colours, sudden noises, or exaggerated character expressions common in many cartoons can remain active in a child’s imagination. When the brain tries to make sense of this stimulating input during sleep, these fragments can resurface as confusing or scary nightmares, interrupting their rest and causing distress. 

Create a Calmer Pre-Sleep Routine 

The most effective strategy is to replace screen use in the final hour before bed with quieter, low-stimulation activities. This creates a peaceful buffer zone for the mind to slow down. Activities like reading a gentle story, listening to a soft Quran recitation, quiet drawing, or light conversation can help the mind to enter a state of safety and calm before sleep. 

Observe Their Emotional Cues at Bedtime 

Pay close attention to your child’s behaviour at bedtime. If they seem unusually restless, anxious, or clingy after watching a particular show, it might be a sign that the content is too stimulating or emotionally unsettling for them, even if it is marketed for their age group. Their behaviour is often a more reliable guide than the programme’s rating. 

Frame the Change as a Partnership 

When you decide to change the routine, involve your child in the process. You could explain it simply and lovingly: “I have noticed you are not sleeping as peacefully after watching cartoons. Sometimes the things we see can sneak into our dreams and make them a bit scary. Let’s try something calmer tonight so you can have a really restful sleep.” Involving them in this way makes the shift feel like a collaborative act of care, not an imposed rule. 

Replacing stimulating screens with calming bedtime habits protects not just your child’s sleep, but also their emotional security and peace of mind through the night. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places great value on the act of ending the day with peace, remembrance, and a heart free from fear. The moments just before sleep are a precious opportunity to guard the heart and mind from unnecessary agitation and to seek the protection of Allah Almighty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Rome (30), Verse 23: 

‘And amongst His Signs (of the infinite truth) is your sleep, whether in the night or in the day, and your continuous discovery of His benefactions; indeed, in this there are (logical and rational) Signs for those nations who (are willing to) listen…’ 

This verse reminds us that sleep is a mercy and a sign from Allah, deserving of our care and protection. It is a gift designed for our renewal. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5017, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Every night before sleeping, he would cup his hands together, recite Surah Al Ikhlas, Surah Al Falaq, and Surah An Nas into them, and then wipe his hands over as much of his body as he could.’ 

 
This teaches us that ending the day with Qur’anic recitation protects the believer from harm and brings tranquillity. 

This practice teaches us that preparing the heart with specific remembrance is a powerful way to bring a sense of safety and divine peace into the night. 

By gently shifting your child’s pre-sleep routine towards calmness and remembrance, you help them experience not only better physical rest but also a deeper sense of spiritual security under Allah Almighty’s protection.