Smartphones or tablets reduce the quality of sleep in children and adolescents

Novel technology leads to lack of sleep in our children
Today there are more and more pupils and students, who are usually very tired in class. This is often due to online games or apps on mobile phones. Researchers have now found that children and adolescents with cell phones, tablets and computers experience a loss of sleep quality and sleep during the night.

Researchers at King's College London found in an investigation that sleep quality and lulled time are falling when children and adolescents use cell phones, tablets and computers. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "JAMA Pediatrics".

Parents should be careful with the use of tablets and cell phones with their children. The use of these devices results in reduced sleep quality and reduced bedtime. (Image: HERRNDORFF / fotolia.com)

Study examines the data of more than 125,000 children
The current analysis found a consistent pattern of the impact of telephones and other technologies in a wide range of countries, says author Dr. Ben Carter from King's College London. For their study, the experts analyzed data from hundreds of surveys conducted between January 2011 and June 2015. Finally, they used 20 research reports with a total of 125,198 children for their study. The data of the participants were divided by gender and the subjects had an average age of 14.5 years, say the experts.

Use of tablets, cell phones or computers affects sleep
The results of the current meta-analysis will hardly be surprising to most parents. The team found a strong and consistent association between bedtime and the use of media devices such as tablets, cell phones or computers. The use of such devices leads to an insufficient amount of sleep, poorer sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness, explain the researchers.

More than 70 percent of all children have technical equipment in their sleeping environment
Amazingly, the researchers discovered that children also had sleep problems if they did not store and use their media devices in their bedrooms. The lights and sounds as well as the displayed content of these devices could be responsible for this, the scientists speculate. In the US, an extensive survey was conducted in 2013 by the National Sleep Foundation (PDF). According to this study, 72 percent of all children surveyed and 89 percent of adolescents had at least one technical device in their sleeping environment.

Light from devices can affect the circadian rhythm
The omnipresent technologies negatively affect the sleep of the children by delaying the sleep time, say the doctors. This is due to the late end of movies or playing another computer game. The light from these devices can also affect our circadian rhythm, which is involved in the internal cycle times of biological processes, including body temperature and hormone release, the authors add.

Electronic lights delay the release of melatonin
The hormone melatonin induces fatigue and contributes to the timing of our wake-sleep cycles. Electronic lights delay the release of melatonin, disrupting this cycle and making it harder to fall asleep, the experts explain. In addition, online content can be psychologically stimulating, keeping kids and teens well over an hour after they've already turned off their devices and trying to sleep.

Sleep is especially important for children
Sleep is vital for children. Sleep plays a crucial role in brain development, memory, self-regulation, attention, immune function, cardiovascular health and many other factors, the researchers emphasize.

Tips for a sound sleep:
There are some tips for a healthy, continuous and adequate sleep. The bedroom needs to be quiet. This means that sleep disturbing objects should be removed. Even disturbing pets are at best at bedtime not in the room, explain the experts. In addition, you should take at least 30 minutes before bedtime a time without the use of technical equipment and the exercise of physical or mental activities should also be avoided. Establishing a regular sleep plan and limiting exposure to light before sleep may also be helpful, the researchers explain. In addition, you should avoid taking stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine in the hours before bedtime. (As)