The effect of mobile phone use at night on the sleep of pre-adolescent, early adolescent, and late adolescent children: A study of 252,195 Australian children

Authors: Valentina Salcedo Correa, Stephanie Centofanti, Jillian Dorrian, Andrew Wicking, Peter Wicking, Kurt Lushington

Year: 2022 Apr 8

Category: Sleep Research

Journal: Sleep Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2022.02.004

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35400615/

Abstract

Overview

This extensive study investigates the impact of nighttime mobile phone use on sleep quality among children of different age groups in Australia, highlighting a significant contemporary issue linked to technology use.

Objectives

The primary aim was to explore if the adverse effects of mobile phone use on sleep as seen in adolescents are also present in younger, pre-adolescent children.

Design and Participants

A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 252,195 children across three age groups—pre-adolescent, early adolescent, and late adolescent—from Australia, assessing sleep patterns and mobile phone usage.

Measurement

Children reported their sleep duration and mobile phone usage between 10 PM and 6 AM. The study employed binary logistic regression to analyze sleep outcomes while considering variables like gender and socioeconomic status.

Findings

Across all aged groups, using mobile phones at night significantly reduces the likelihood of achieving sufficient sleep (8 hours), emphasizing a pervasive issue among young populations.

Conclusion

The findings reiterate the strong correlation between reduced sleep quality and nighttime mobile phone use in children, extending earlier findings to even younger age groups. These insights underscore the pressing need for community-wide educational initiatives aimed at improving sleep hygiene and regulating bedtime media use among children.

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