Media Use and Sleep

Abstract

Statistics show that sleep has become a problematic health issue, with significant proportions of the population coping with insufficient sleep, having trouble falling asleep, or suffering from clinical sleep disturbances. One of the factors contributing to the sleep loss epidemic appears to be electronic media use. Increases in media uses go hand in hand with declines in various sleep outcomes such as later bedtimes, shorter sleep, disturbed sleeping patterns, and increased daytime fatigue. Scholars have become invested in uncovering the underlying mechanisms of this association, and findings have spurred the development of preventative strategies. This entry reviews the most important conclusions in this area of research and highlights next steps for future research.