Sleeping in a Digital World: The Role of Excessive Media Use on Adolescent Sleep Inadequacy

Objective

To examine the role of excessive media use on sleep inadequacy and their associated determinants among US adolescents (ages 10-17). It is hypothesized that higher levels of television use (> 2 hours/day) and computer use (> 2 hours/day) will be associated with inadequate sleep.

Methods

Data from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) were used (n = 40,329). Forward step-wise logistic regressions, stratified by age group (aged 10-12 vs. 13-17), were used to examine the associations between excessive media use (television and computer use) and sleep inadequacy while adjusting for child-level demographics, household characteristics, health behaviors, family and neighborhood context. Moderating effects of media presence in the bedroom and parental media controls were examined.

Results

The prevalence of sleep inadequacy among US adolescents by age was 11% for 10-12 year olds and 20% among adolescents aged 13-17.  Among older adolescents, sleep inadequacy was significantly associated with excessive computer use (OR, 1.30; P = 0.001) and media presence in the bedroom (OR, 1.21; P = 0.02). Among younger adolescents, sleep inadequacy was not associated with excessive television use, excessive computer use or media presence in the bedroom. Moderation analysis revealed that older adolescents who consumed television excessively and had media present in the bedroom were more likely to have sleep inadequacy (interaction, P = 0.02). Across age groups, parental media limitations were non-significant moderators.

Conclusion

Our findings support national public health efforts to reduce media consumption as a way to promote sleep health among adolescents.