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A new study has shown that electronic devices do indeed affect the way in which a child sleeps.
Beacon Transcript – A new study has shown that electronic devices do indeed affect the way in which a child sleeps, which could also lead to long-term effects on the child’s quality of life.
The study was undertaken by United Kingdom’s University of Cardiff researchers, was published in the JAMA Pediatrics journal, and was based on a number of other existing studies. The 20 observational studies used in the research comprised data gathered on 125,198 children.
An analysis of the aforementioned data went to show that the way in which a child sleeps will also affect his or her daily activities. In the short term, it may lead to daytime sleepiness and other similar sleep deprivations.
Estimates show that about 72 percent of the children and a higher 89 percent of modern teenagers use an electronic device near or during their supposed sleeping hours, which is also present in the environment during the same period.
As the idea that such modern devices the likes of smartphones and tablets can affect a child, the current study went to offer a general, scientifically accepted proof so as to support the theory.
It also presented the possible detrimental effects such devices can have on the way in which a child sleeps, and also its longer term results.
With sleep being one of the most important aspects of a child’s natural development and growth, digital devices can affect its quality through a number of diverse reasons.
The most common are a reduction, modification or interruption of the sleeping hours as the child continues to use the device instead of sleeping.
But these are not the only issues as research demonstrated that the use of electronics before sleep could also determine a physiological stimulation which could prevent the body and mind from winding down and transitioning towards sleep.
Physical details also come into play as besides the notification alerts, the devices’ screen blue light exposure can cause a stop in the production of melatonin. The aforementioned hormone is used by the body so as to put the brain to sleep.
As the study has demonstrated that the mere presence, and not just the use of such devices can have on how a child sleeps, more research will be needed in order to determine the long-term effects of such practices on the bodies and minds of their young users.
Sleep deprivation or a bad quality of sleep has already been shown to cause sleep disorders. These can potentially lead to other health problems such as a degraded memory, a decrease in the reaction speed, hyperactivity, or anxiety. They could also cause mood issues, depression, an increase in appetite, or obesity.
As the way in which a child sleeps has been shown to be affected by the use of digital devices, more studies will be undertaken so as to determine the effects of current and future technological advancements on our actual bodies.
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