Evaluation of the Relationship Between the Use of Portable Electronic Devices and Sleep in Students Six-Twelve Years of Age

Abstract

Objective:This study investigated the relationship between the use of portable electronic devices (PED) and sleep in students aged 6-12 years.Materials and Methods:The study was a cross-sectional online survey involving parents who had children aged 6-12 years. The data of 299 parents who completed a questionnaire evaluating children’s PED use, bedtime resistance, sleep times, and daytime sleepiness were analyzed.Results:It was determined that the mean bedtime resistance score of children with a daily PED use time >2 was 8.8±2.32, and for those with ≤2 was 7.91±1.96 (p<0.05). It was determined that the children of the families limiting the use of PED before bedtime used PED in the evening for 0.98±0.92 hours, and those with no restrictions used PED for 1.19±0.79 hours (p<0.05). A weak positive statistically significant correlation was found between the average PED usage times in the evening and bedtime resistance, sleep time, and avarage PED use in the afternoon/morning and daytime sleepiness (p<0.05). In the evening, a weak positive statistically significant linear relationship was found between average cell phone and game console usage time and bedtime resistance (p<0.05).Conclusion:Given the increased accessibility and use of PED devices, new research on the effects of PED exposure on children’s sleep and on intervention programs for measures can be taken.

Keywords

• child
• sleep
• portable electronic device
• bedtime resistance
• sleep time
• daytime sleepiness