Sleep and use of electronic devices in adolescence: results from a large population-based study

Abstract

ObjectivesAdolescents spend increasingly more time on electronic devices, and sleep deficiency rising in adolescents constitutes a major public health concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate daytime screen use and use of electronic devices before bedtime in relation to sleep.DesignA large cross-sectional population-based survey study from 2012, the youth@hordaland study, in Hordaland County in Norway.SettingCross-sectional general community-based study.Participants9846 adolescents from three age cohorts aged 16–19. The main independent variables were type and frequency of electronic devices at bedtime and hours of screen-time during leisure time.OutcomesSleep variables calculated based on self-report including bedtime, rise time, time in bed, sleep duration, sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset.ResultsAdolescents spent a large amount of time during the day and at bedtime using electronic devices. Daytime and bedtime use of electronic devices were both related to sleep measures, with an increased risk of short sleep duration, long sleep onset latency and increased sleep deficiency. A dose–response relationship emerged between sleep duration and use of electronic devices, exemplified by the association between PC use and risk of less than 5 h of sleep (OR=2.70, 95% CI 2.14 to 3.39), and comparable lower odds for 7–8 h of sleep (OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.96).ConclusionsUse of electronic devices is frequent in adolescence, during the day as well as at bedtime. The results demonstrate a negative relation between use of technology and sleep, suggesting that recommendations on healthy media use could include restrictions on electronic devices.

Screen Media Use in Hospitalized Children

“…High screen media use could interfere with sleep, 5,6 eating, 15,16 and mood, 10,12,14 thereby affecting healing and recovery. [20][21][22] Hospitalized children are increasingly medically complex, with chronic conditions that require more frequent and lengthy hospital stays.…”

“…1 Entertainment media displaces time spent on homework, sleeping, and playing, and also influences beliefs and behaviors. 2 There have been numerous studies showing the detrimental effects of screen media use with associations including aggressive behaviors, 3 obesity, 4 disordered sleep, 5,6 attention-deficit disorder, 7 impaired cognitive development, 8 lower academic performance, 9 mood disorders, 10 and psychological distress. [10][11][12] Excessive use of screen media also has short-term effects including restless sleep, 2,13 depressed mood, 14 disordered eating, 15,16 and exacerbation of health-related fears.…”

Impact of smartphone use on quality of sleep among medical students

“…24 In a study by Hysing et al both daytime and bedtime use of electronic devices led to an increased risk of short sleep duration, long sleep onset latency and sleep deficiency. 6 One more smartphone use variable we studied was time to initiate smartphone use after waking up from bed which showed association with sleep quality on univariate analysis but not on multivariate analysis. Checking the smartphone immediately after waking up or repeatedly can both be a cause or an effect of smartphone addiction.…”

“…5 Various theories have been proposed to explain the mechanism of sleep disturbance due to excessive use of electronic media devices like smartphones -interference with sleep through increased psychophysiological arousal, through bright light exposure which may delay the circadian rhythm, exposure to electromagnetic radiations and physical discomfort caused by prolonged media use. 6 Restoring sleep is strongly associated with a better physical, cognitive, and psychological well-being not only in adults but also in children and adolescents. 7 Episodic memories are gradually assimilated into longterm memory and this process is strongly influenced by sleep & existing memories are spontaneously reactivated and strengthened in the brain during rest periods.…”

Children and Adolescents and Digital Media

“…A dose-response relationship emerged between sleep duration and use of electronic devices. 100 Ensuring that children and teenagers obtain the necessary hours of healthy sleep is an important goal of a Family Media Use Plan (www. healthychildren.…”