Adolescent sleep and technology-use rules: results from the California Health Interview Survey

This study reports on adolescent sleep, technology-use rules at home, and their potential association using the 2017 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).

CHIS cross-sectional, representative survey data was collected between June-December 2017 via telephone. Weekday bedtimes, rise times, and night time in bed in the past week, as well as whether technology-use rules were implemented at home, were examined among 448 adolescent residents of California (mean age = 14.5, range = 12-17; 48% women).

The average weekday nightly time in bed was 9.04 hours among 12- to 13-year-olds and 7.89 hours among 14- to 17-year-olds. The majority reported having technology-use rules and those who did, spent 35 more minutes in bed. Although a significant relationship was found between having technology-use rules and earlier bedtime, one was not found for time in bed, when controlling for demographics.

Many California adolescents do not meet recommended sleep guidelines. Yet, technology-use rules appear to be associated with earlier bedtime. Results have implications for policy-making and adolescent sleep interventions.