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New study shows smartphones shorten sleep in babies and toddlers
Sleep problems in the offspring are probably known to most parents. Possible causes are searched in different directions. A recent study by British scientists has now shown that the use of touch screens in infants has an extremely detrimental effect on sleep behavior.
It was already known, according to the researchers, that the time spent in front of the TV and the game console can lead to sleep problems in the children. Today, however, portable touchscreens (smartphones and tablets) are almost ubiquitous and even babies often play with their parents' mobile phones. The researchers at Birkbeck University of London and King's College London have therefore investigated the impact of touchscreen use on children's sleep behavior. The researchers published their results in the scientific journal "Scientific Reports".
Parents should keep an eye on the use of tablets and cell phones with their children because they can be expected to have a significant impact on sleep. (Image: HERRNDORFF / fotolia.com) Each additional hour on the smartphone shortens sleep
In total, the researchers interviewed 715 parents on the children's daily use of touchscreen, sleep and sleep patterns. They found that babies and toddlers who spent more time using a touchscreen slept less at night. Although they showed a little more sleep during the day, but overall their sleep times were lower and they took longer to fall asleep, the researchers report. For every additional hour of touch-screen usage during the day, the children would have slept almost 16 minutes less in a 24-hour period.
75 percent of children use touchscreens
"Sleep is important for cognitive development - especially in the early years of life," emphasize the British scientists. Thus, the lack of sleep could have long-term significant disadvantages for the affected children. In 2014, 75 percent of toddlers (aged six months to three years) used a touch screen every day, with 51 to 51 percent using touchscreens at the age of six to eleven months and 92 to 90 at the age of 25 to 36 months percent.
High accessibility of touch screen devices affecting sleep
Recent study results show "that the popularity and accessibility of touchscreen devices has led to a high level of use in babies and toddlers, which is associated with reduced sleep," Dr. Tim Smith from the Birkbeck University of London. Further studies are now needed to examine the relationship between touchscreen usage and sleep issues and how the type of use can reduce the risk.
Maximize benefits, minimize disadvantages
According to the scientists, it should also be noted that the use of touchscreen not only brings disadvantages for the children. For example, previous studies have shown that increased active touchscreen usage (such as scrolling and clicking rather than watching videos passively) was associated with improved infant fine motor skills. Rather than completely blocking access to the smartphone and tablet, it is important to understand how to use this modern technology in ways that maximize benefits and minimize negative consequences for young children, the researchers conclude. (Fp)