Impact of bedtime use of blue light-emitting devices on sleep quality among college students: A single university experience

Background: The usage and availability of blue light-emitting devices (BLEDs) have increased in recent years, and these devices have become a common part of evening routines and bedtime. This pattern raises concerns about the possible adverse impacts on sleep quality and overall well-being. There is a scarcity of population-based studies examining the usage of BLEDs at bedtime among both medical and nonmedical students in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the use of BLEDs at bedtime and its relationship with sleep quality among college students. Patients and Methods: From 2021 to 2023, we collected data through a validated self-administrated questionnaire among 485 college students aged 19 and above at a university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focusing on device usage patterns and sleep quality. Results: The study discovered that most participants (98%) used BLEDs before bed. A significant relationship was observed between device use at bedtime and poor sleep quality, including shorter sleep duration, sleep disturbances, and daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, there is a link between device use and symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and irritability upon awakening. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that using electronic devices before bedtime was associated with poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances. This emphasizes the importance of encouraging healthy sleep habits and raising awareness of the potential dangers of using devices before bedtime.