Association between electronic media use and sleep habits: an eight-day follow-up study

Previous research suggests that single use of television, computer or game console may be associated with sleep problems. In practice, youngsters have a multiple rather than a single use of electronic media (EM) every day. This study examined the association between electronic stimulation throughout the day, the final evening activity every day of the week, EM availability in the bedroom and sleep problems in 332 middle-school children (girls = 53%; mean age = 12.9). Cell phones (odds ratio OR = 2.5 1.20–5.38) and MP3 players (OR = 2.5 1.13–5.70) were found to predict sleep problem. An evening screen time of one hour or more is associated with a higher risk of sleep problems (OR = 3.10 1.24–7.78), particularly going to bed late (OR = 3.4 1.59–7.271) and difficulty waking up (OR = 2.15 1.01–4.6). Possession and pattern of EM use by adolescents are associated with impaired sleep quality and late bedtimes, indicating the need to control adolescents' screen time.