NHLBI IN THE PRESS

Study reveals how screen time affects sleep in preteens

Pre-teen boy looks at cell phone while listening to music in bed.

A new study provides insights into the screen habits linked with poor sleep in pre-teens, including leaving cell phone ringers activated overnight even when in silent mode. Awareness of these habits could lead to improved sleep in this group, researchers said. 

The researchers analyzed screen habits from 9,389 early adolescents aged 11-12 years from 2018-2021. They examined associations between self-reported bedtime screen use and sleep behaviors, including sleep duration and sleep disturbance.   

A quarter of preteens had sleep disturbance. The researchers found that having a television or Internet-connected electronic device, such as a cell phone, in the bedroom was associated with shorter sleep duration a year later. Preteens who left their phone ringer active overnight had greater odds of experiencing sleep disturbance and shorter sleep duration, compared to those who turned off their phones at bedtime. The researchers found that talking or texting on the phone, listening to music, and using social media were also associated with shorter sleep duration and greater overall sleep disturbance one year later. 
 
Ensuring preteens get adequate sleep is vital because it supports their physical and mental growth, the researchers said. Their study, partly funded by NHLBI, was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.