Teens choosing screen time over sleep time

Sometimes it seems like devices and screens surround us. Phones, tablets, televisions, computers… They’re shiny and bright and seem to be particularly good at attracting children.

Sometimes it seems like devices and screens surround us. Phones, tablets, televisions, computers… They’re shiny and bright and seem to be particularly good at attracting children.

If you find convincing children to put down their iPhone or tablet to be a challenge, you could be dealing with a screen time addiction. At least, that’s what Dr Chris Seton, a leading paediatric and adolescent sleep physician from the Woolcock Medical Institute believes.

Dr Seton featured on ABC Radio Melbourne last month, suggesting that screen time for children could in fact be as addictive as heroin. It’s a scary thought and at the very least some children’s obsession with screen time is certainly a concerning behavioural issue.

A major concern is the resulting sleep deprivation, with children using devices when they should be sleeping.

Government health authorities refer to sleep research that suggests teenagers require around 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Even 30 minutes of extra sleep (or 30 minutes less) can have an impact on a young person’s mood, concentration, academic performance, physical reflexes and memory.

At Resilient Youth our 2016/2017 survey data shows 48% of year 7 to 12 students self-report that they are not getting at least 8 hours sleep each night.

And 68% of year 7 to 12 students report using technology between 10pm and 6am. I think we know where those missing hours of sleep are going…

The attachment young people have to devices is strong, but there are things we can – and should – try to break the habit of living life through a screen and hopefully improve other areas of children’s lives as a result.

5 Ways to Reduce Screen Time

1. Make bedrooms no-screen-zones

2. Model the behaviour and set a good example

3. Put limits in place for screen time

4. Screen time shouldn’t be a reward

5. Highlight alternative activities