[h=1]Banish smartphones and computers from bedroom to get a good sleep, say scientists[/h] [h=2]A study teenagers found that those who used a computer in the hour before bedtime were nearly three times as likely to get less than five hours sleep[/h]
Health experts have warned for years watching television before bed is bad for sleep.
But now researchers say other gadgets like tablets, smartphones and mp3 players should also be banished from the bedroom because they are having a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing.
More and more people are taking their tablets to bed with them to surf the web, check Facebook or email before switching off the light.
But a study of teenagers found that those who used a computer in the hour before bedtime were nearly three times as likely to get less than five hours sleep.
Using a mobile phone before bed also nearly double the risk of having a poor sleep.
And the longer a teen spends on screen time throughout the day before going to bed, the worse quality sleep they are likely to have.
The researchers say it is time to update recommendations on the healthy use of electronic devices, and extend them to the latest technology, such as tablets and smartphones, say the researchers.
The study looked at 10,000 16 to 19 year olds in Norway. Almost all said they used one or more electronic devices shortly before going to bed.
“The recommendations for healthy media use given to parents and adolescents need updating, and age specific guidelines regarding the quantity and timing of electronic media use should be developed,” said lead author Dr Mari Hysing, of the Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, in Bergen, Norway.
“The current recommendation is not to have a TV in the bedroom. It seems, however, that there may be other electronic devices exerting the same negative influence on sleep, such as PCs and mobile phones.
“The results confirm recommendations for restricting media use in general.”
The teens were asked how much screen time they spent outside of school hours, and asked whether they used a computer; smartphone; Mp3 player; tablet; games console; or TV.
They were also asked questions about their sleep routine on weekdays and at weekends, when they went to sleep, got up and how much rest they felt the needed.
Games console use was more popular among the boys, whereas girls were more likely to use smartphones and Mp3 players. Girls spent significantly longer on their computers chatting online while boys spent longer playing games on consoles and computers.
The researchers found that In particular, use of a computer, smartphone, or Mp3 player in the hour before bedtime was significantly associated with taking longer to fall asleep.
Banish smartphones and computers from bedroom to get a good sleep, say scientists - Telegraph
Health experts have warned for years watching television before bed is bad for sleep.
But now researchers say other gadgets like tablets, smartphones and mp3 players should also be banished from the bedroom because they are having a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing.
More and more people are taking their tablets to bed with them to surf the web, check Facebook or email before switching off the light.
But a study of teenagers found that those who used a computer in the hour before bedtime were nearly three times as likely to get less than five hours sleep.
Using a mobile phone before bed also nearly double the risk of having a poor sleep.
And the longer a teen spends on screen time throughout the day before going to bed, the worse quality sleep they are likely to have.
The researchers say it is time to update recommendations on the healthy use of electronic devices, and extend them to the latest technology, such as tablets and smartphones, say the researchers.
The study looked at 10,000 16 to 19 year olds in Norway. Almost all said they used one or more electronic devices shortly before going to bed.
“The recommendations for healthy media use given to parents and adolescents need updating, and age specific guidelines regarding the quantity and timing of electronic media use should be developed,” said lead author Dr Mari Hysing, of the Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, in Bergen, Norway.
“The current recommendation is not to have a TV in the bedroom. It seems, however, that there may be other electronic devices exerting the same negative influence on sleep, such as PCs and mobile phones.
“The results confirm recommendations for restricting media use in general.”
The teens were asked how much screen time they spent outside of school hours, and asked whether they used a computer; smartphone; Mp3 player; tablet; games console; or TV.
They were also asked questions about their sleep routine on weekdays and at weekends, when they went to sleep, got up and how much rest they felt the needed.
Games console use was more popular among the boys, whereas girls were more likely to use smartphones and Mp3 players. Girls spent significantly longer on their computers chatting online while boys spent longer playing games on consoles and computers.
The researchers found that In particular, use of a computer, smartphone, or Mp3 player in the hour before bedtime was significantly associated with taking longer to fall asleep.
Banish smartphones and computers from bedroom to get a good sleep, say scientists - Telegraph
