Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Prolonged screen time is associated with increased prevalence of sleep disorders in children

Bruna Luiza Maximo Ramos1, Rafaella Bom Dos Santos Hochuli1, José Vitor Nogara Borges de Menezes1

  • 1Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná, Av. Prefeito Lothário Meissner, 632 - Jardim Botânico, Curitiba, Paraná, 80210-170, Brazil.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|August 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Excessive screen time and using electronic devices before bed are linked to sleep disorders in preschoolers. Limiting screen exposure is crucial for improving children's sleep health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Development
  • Digital Media Impact

Background:

  • Problematic screen use is common in children, raising concerns about sleep and development.
  • Previous research indicates a link between high screen exposure and sleep disturbances in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between electronic screen use before bedtime, total daily screen time, and sleep disorders in preschool children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 604 preschool children (ages 4-5).
  • Sleep disorders assessed using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC).
  • Caregivers reported daily screen time and bedtime media use; data analyzed with Poisson regression.

Main Results:

  • Prolonged screen time correlated with higher overall sleep disturbance scores and excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • Bedtime media use was associated with difficulties initiating/maintaining sleep and hyperhidrosis.
  • A significant percentage of children used media for over an hour daily (66.9%) or to fall asleep (88.9%).

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged screen time and pre-bedtime screen use are significant risk factors for sleep disorders in preschool-aged children.
  • Early childhood interventions targeting screen habits are essential for mitigating sleep problems.
Abstract

Keywords:
PreschoolChildScreen timeSleepSleep–wake transition disorders

More Related Videos

High-Throughput Small Molecule Drug Screening For Age-Related Sleep Disorders Using Drosophila melanogaster05:59

High-Throughput Small Molecule Drug Screening For Age-Related Sleep Disorders Using Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: October 20, 2023

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...