Research abstract

Impact of Devices on Children’s Sleep a ‘Major Concern’ for Researchers

Sleep is often an issue for adults. But with growing technology, it is beginning to affect our children. Do you have a schedule that limits screen time? Devices affect everyone’s sleeping habits. By Education Week

Laura Lurns Last updated February 14, 2017 · 1 min read

The use of electronic devices by children and adolescents at or near bedtime is affecting the quality and the quantity of sleep children are getting. The study looks at blue light emissions from such devices as televisions, games consoles, and portable devices like tablets and smartphones and its impact on the ability to fall asleep, or stay asleep.

Children across the country are finding a major negative impact on their sleep and researchers indicate that it a cause for concerns.

Not only does the use of these devices at or near bedtime effect the sleep outcome of children, but even having access to these devices in the sleep environment even when not used before bed has been shown to cause negative sleep outcomes. Poor sleep at night can be shown as excessive daytime sleepiness as well as decreased functioning in the daytime.

Key takeaways

Sleep quality and quantity is affected by using electronics before bed.
The use of electronics at bedtime is considered a major public health concern.
The shift to technology in schools even gives researchers pause due to the use of most children.

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Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.

Children across the country are finding a major negative impact on their sleep and researchers indicate that it a cause for concerns.

Key takeaways

Is your child struggling in school?

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