The effect of screen use on sleep quality among adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Insufficient sleep associated with daytime sleepiness is predominant among the pediatric population and upsurges during adolescence. Prolonged screen use is theorized to harmfully disturb sleep through numerous pathways. Though, the connotation between media device use and poor sleep has been inadequately assessed due to the rapid development of these devices which has outdone research abilities.

This study aims to assess the effect of screen use on sleep quality among adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-administered online questionnaire targeting all accessible Saudi adolescents in Riyadh. The final questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms by distributing at high schools and primary health care centers. The study questionnaire covered adolescent's personal data, medical history, screen use including the type of used devices, duration of use per day and at bedtime, effect of using devices, and family and friends' influence on using devices. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

A total of 324 adolescents fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Adolescents' ages ranged from 16 to 19 years with a mean age of 17.5 ± 1.1 years old. Exact of 113 (34.9%), the study adolescents used screens for 6-8 hours on a daily basis, 111 (34.3%) use screens for more than 8 hours daily. A total of 154 (47.5%) of the study adolescents were good sleepers while 170 (52.5%) were poor sleepers.

In conclusion, the study revealed that adolescents in Riyadh had a high frequency rate and duration of screen use which may exceed 6 hours daily with nearly half of them with poor sleep quality, feeling fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and lack of concentration.