ManaZZZ - e-effects on Sleep

- In 1981, US children age 1-5 averaged 11.5-13.5 hrs/day total sleep time.
  • By 2005 this has dropped to 9.5-11.5 hours.
  • Teens had greatest drop to 7 hours (need minimum of 9-11).
  • Parallels decline in adult sleep times (1-2 hours over past 40 years).
  • Major culprit is the rise in electronic media, esp in bedrooms.
- Sleep Debt: the cost of inadequate sleep in the US is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars per year.  
 
- Sleep is critical for child health and development, with a vital role in growth, learning, and memory.

- Television  stimulates the reticular activating system in the brain, and thus attention and alertness.
  • Contrary to common belief, TV in the bedroom does not aid sleep, and is a major risk factor for sleep problems. 
  • Bad habits: Young children accustomed to falling asleep with TV grow into older people unable to sleep without it.
- Viewing by infants/toddlers is associated with irregular nap- and bedtimes
  • Critical window for developing healthy sleep behavior.
- Inadequate nighttime sleep during infancy and preschool (associated with excessive screen media) is a long-term risk factor for obesity.

- Excessive e-media impairs sleep quality and architecture, and is associated with:
  • Sleep-onset delay
  • Night waking
  • Sleep anxiety
  • Shortened sleep duration
  • Declines in verbal memory
  • Handheld devices may worsen this due to potent inhibition of Melatonin (nature's sleep hormone) by screens held close to the eyes.

- A study of kids 10-14 found that a single night of restricted sleep impaired cognitive ability, including abstract thinking and creativity.

- Memory effects are mediated short-term by effects on slow-wave sleep and long-term through decreased physical activity, both associated with excessive e-media.

- Poor sleep quality is associated with mental health problems, attention problems, poor school performance/attendance, and somatic complaints (i.e. "my tummy hurts...").
- 25-30% of young children have some type of sleep problem.
- Sleep problems in middle childhood tend to persist.
  • Long-term developmental impact (ADHD, cognitive, behavioral)


 
  • Citations available upon request.