SLEEPING WITH TV ON EFFECTS SERIES

A study of children ages 4 to 11 found that increased screen time was associated with increased sleep anxiety, increased night waking, and increased total sleep disturbance. Hours of television time has been linked with poor sleep quantity and quality as well. 8 Taken together, these studies have established a foundation of declining sleep quality and quantity in adolescents that partake in texting at bedtime or even after “lights out.” The study found that 62% of patients took their phones to bed with them, 37% texted after “lights out,” and 1 out of 12 adolescents were woken by a text in the middle of the night at least 2 or more times each week. 6, 7 A study by Olson and colleagues in 2014 explored whether nighttime cell phone use had an impact on sleep quality of adolescents 12 to 20 years of age. Lack of sleep in adolescents has been associated with lack of productivity, depression, lack of energy, and poor school performance.

Indeed, several studies have identified health repercussions associated with increased technology use in college-aged adolescents, 5 including decreased sleep quality, increased inattention, and an increased body mass index (BMI). Some of these health implications may not manifest until late adolescence or adulthood. The recent emergence of electronic and tablet-based children’s toys provides novel learning opportunities, but may also have unintended consequences on motor development, activity, attention, and sleep. This question is particularly poignant in younger age groups, where the health implications of technology use are not well studied. 4 It is difficult at the present time to predict whether this shift in technology use will have beneficial or harmful influences on human health. 3 The past 2 decades have introduced portable, individualized technology (cell phones and computers) to our society, increasing our reliance on these products for day-to-day tasks.

SLEEPING WITH TV ON EFFECTS SERIES

A series of surveys distributed in 20 demonstrated a dramatic 5-fold increase in children’s access to mobile devices. 2 Parents have reported that the purpose for a phone at this age is for security reasons or for keeping in touch with the family, but many parents gift their children a phone to keep in contact with friends from school. 1 A recent study by the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center found that by fifth grade, 40% of children have cell phones. Clinicians should discuss the impact of technology at bedtime to prevent harmful effects of overexposure.Ĭhildren comprise one of the largest consumer groups of technology. A statistically significant association was found between bedtime technology use and elevated body mass index. Little association was found between technology use and inattention. Using any device at bedtime was associated with a statically significant increased use of multiple forms of technology at bedtime and use in the middle of the night, reducing sleep quantity and quality. Parents of 234 children, ages 8 to 17 years, were surveyed to quantify hours of technology use (computer, video games, cell phone, and television), hours of sleep, and inattentive behaviors. The purpose of this study was to explore bedtime electronic use and its impact on 3 health consequences-sleep quantity and quality, inattention, and body mass index. Sleep is fundamental to optimal functioning during childhood, including health and behavior. Children comprise one of the largest consumer groups of technology.

Sleeping with tv on effects