A study shows that teenagers who are more exposed on electronic devices and computers get lesser sleep than normal especially when used before bedtime.
Parents have long known that their children get less and less sleep due to long exposure to computer screens, laptops, and smart phones. A study published in the BMJ Open show proved that this is a fact. The evidence is very sturdy so health watchdogs should overhaul guidelines for gadget use by the younger people, according to The Guardian.
The research team surveyed and investigated about 10,000 people aged 16 to 19 in Hordaland County in West Norway in 2012. The team questioned the teenagers about their sleeping patterns and habits, the type of devices they use every day, and how they use gadgets and computers outside of school hours.
The respondents stated that they feel the need to have eight to nine hours sleep to feel well rested. Some of the response who had screen time of more than four hours a day was three and a half times to sleep less than five hours a night.
These kids are also in need to have more than 60 minutes just to fall asleep. Adults can nod it off in less than 30 minutes, according to The Verge.
"There was a gradual increase up to this point, the more you spent on devices during the daytime, the less you slept, and the longer it took to fall asleep," lead author Dr. Mari Hysingz explained.
The light emitted from the screen of electronic devices affect the teenagers' body clocks. Respondents who use gadgets 60 minutes before bedtime gets two or more hours less from their usual sleep hours.