Teens and Lack of Sleep Due to Cell Phones

I recently read an article about teens that are using cell phones and other electronic devices to excess at night time, so much so

they are sleep deprived. Teens are already set up for sleep issues just because of there age and busy schedules.  Now add the cell phone and various other electronics!

Teens are texting, talking, and surfing the net all day long.  But now, we are finding to a parent’s surprise, that teens are taking their cell phones and even laptops to bed with them.  Here in lies the problem, if teens are busy texting, playing video games, or using the computer, when do they ever wind down?  The body relies on winding down, relaxing and falling asleep to recharge for the next day.  Sleep deprivation can result, which leads to memory and concentration problems, anxiety, depression, moodiness, and hyperactivity.

The 2009 Nielsen study on teens found the average teen sent 435 texts a month in 2007.  Currently, it’s 2,899 per month (97/day.)  It is the night time texting that is affecting our teens the most.  A Belgian study found late night texting is affecting the sleep of 44% of that country’s 16 year olds.  21% are waking one to three times to respond to messages, this study from Leuven Study on Media and Adolescent Health.

The article suggests most people would blame this problem on adolescence, but it states this is not the case.  The problem is sleep deprivation.  Whether it is a result of late night texting which would make it worse or are they texting because they can not sleep? Which it may be is not know.

This article really hit home because I personally have caught my daughter taking her phone to bed and my son up very late playing video games.  I plan to share this information with them and come up with some guidelines at our house.

A previous blog of mine called, “Why can’t I Sleep?” has some good suggestions for sleep routines.