Whether it’s watching a movie, listening to music, scrolling on social networks or texting, young people’s bedtime habits often involve screens. According to a Canadian study, these practices are raising concerns about the effects screens could have on preteens’ quality of sleep.
Research conducted by the University of Toronto and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health highlights sleep disturbances linked to pre-sleep screen use in young people.
The scientists analysed data from more than 9,000 preteens aged 11 and 12 between 2018 and 2021. These young people were questioned about their sleep habits and use of screens and social networks at bedtime.
The scientists found that a quarter of the preteens experienced sleep disturbance: nearly two in 10 (16.2%) reported having been woken up at least once in the past week by phone calls, text messages or emails.
Close to 20% said they had used their phone or another device if they woke up during the night.
The paper reports that “in early adolescents, several bedtime screen-use behaviours are associated with adverse sleep outcomes one year later, including sleep disturbance and shorter weekly sleep duration”. And when electronic devices are left on in bedrooms during the night, they are more readily available and all the more tempting to use.
Study lead author Jason Nagata, associate professor of paediatrics at the University of California, said: “Our research found that leaving notifications on, even in silent mode, leads to less sleep compared to turning the phone off completely or keeping it outside the bedroom.
“Adolescents can be extremely sensitive to phone notifications, often waking up instantly when they hear their phone. Even if a phone is set to silent or vibrate, adolescents may still check it overnight. Once they start reading or responding to messages, they can become more alert and activated.”
The research concluded: “Ensuring adolescents get enough sleep is vital, as it supports their physical and mental growth and development. As such, screening for and providing anticipatory guidance on specific bedtime screen behaviours in early adolescents may be warranted.”