Children who use electronic devices at night have poorer quality slumber- Study

Children sleep less and have poorer quality slumber if they use smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices at night, a new study has warned.

Those aged between six and 15 years old are most likely to be affected, the researchers said, blaming video gaming, computers, phones, internet use and watching television.

In children aged five and under, television and tablets were the main culprits for shorter sleep.

According to the NHS, the recommended sleep durations are:

Babies 4 to 12 months old – 12 to 16 hours including naps

Toddlers 1 to 2 years old – 11 to 14 hours including naps

Children 3 to 5 years old – 10 to 13 hours including naps

Children 6 to 12 years old – 9 to 12 hours

Teenagers 13 to 18 years old – 8 to 10 hours

The research by the University of Southern Denmark reviewed 49 studies published between 2009 and 2019, with the studies involving between 55 and 369,595 children.

Experts looked at the association of electronic media use, including media type and duration, with sleep patterns.

 The author’s considered bedtime and sleep onset, sleep quality (waking up at night), sleep duration and daytime tiredness.

They found a link between electronic device use and delayed bedtime and poor sleep quality in children aged six to 12, while screen time among teenagers aged 13 to 15 was associated with problems falling asleep.

Social media use was also to blame for poor sleep quality among teenagers, the researchers said.

They say this interactive media may be overly stimulating, which may explain why the age group gets less sleep.

In all age groups, exposure to blue light from screens may suppress the production of melatonin – the hormone that regulates sleep – leading to poorer sleep duration and disturbing the natural sleep-wake cycle, the study found.

The latest research has been published in the journal BMC Public Health. 

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