Mobile Electronic Devices and Sleep Quality Among Preschoolers

• In Event: Issues of Settings and Disparities in Youth Media Research

Abstract

This study investigated the relation between preschoolers' mobile electronic device (MED) use and sleep quality. A total of 402 mothers of preschoolers completed a survey assessing their preschoolers' use of tablet computers, smartphones, laptop computers, hand-held electronic game players, and iPods. In addition, parents reported on indicators of sleep quality prior to sleeptime, during sleep, and after sleep. We found that heavier nighttime MED use and daily MED use were related to poorer sleep quality. In addition, we found that playing games, viewing television programs and, to a lesser extent, reading on MEDs at bedtime were related to poorer sleep quality. This study highlights the importance of investigating the consequences of children's MED use.

Authors

• Amy Nathanson, Ohio State U

• Ine Beyens, U of Leuven - School for Mass Communication Research