Excessive screen time among preschool children may negatively affect their sleep quality, which can worsen issues like attention difficulties, hyperactivity, and mood instability, as indicated by recent research.
Excessive screen time among preschool children may negatively affect their sleep quality, which can worsen issues like attention difficulties, hyperactivity, and mood instability, as indicated by recent research.
According to findings published in Early Child Development and Care, there is a “significant” connection between screen time and increased problems related to hyperactivity and emotional issues, as well as a decline in sleep quality.
Moreover, the study conducted by researchers from China and Canada reveals that sleep quality is closely linked with fewer attention issues related to hyperactivity, emotional challenges, and social struggles with peers.
The research suggests that sleep quality may play a role in the relationship between screen time and these hyperactive attention issues, as well as emotional challenges.
“Our findings show that excessive screen time can keep preschoolers’ brains overly stimulated, leading to poorer quality and shorter sleep,” explains Professor Yan Li, the study’s lead author and expert in preschool education from Shanghai Normal University.
“This poor sleep could arise from later bedtimes due to screen time, as well as the disruption of sleep caused by overstimulation and exposure to blue light. Additionally, screen time may take away from hours that could have been used for sleeping and can heighten both physiological and psychological excitement, making it harder to sleep,” states Dr. Shujin Zhou, another principal investigator from Shanghai Normal University.
To gather evidence, Dr. Zhou and their team surveyed the mothers of 571 preschoolers aged 3 to 6 in seven public kindergartens across Shanghai, China.
Mothers provided information on how much time their child spent on screens (including TV, smartphones, and computers) each day over the past week. They also answered questions regarding potential behavior problems in their child, such as hyperactivity, emotional symptoms like often complaining of feeling unwell, and social issues like loneliness or a preference for solitary play. Furthermore, they responded to inquiries about their child’s sleep quality and duration.
“Our results imply a cycle where increased screen time worsens sleep issues, which then reinforces the initial problems, increasing the risk for hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression,” adds Dr. Bowen Xiao, a co-author and specialist in children’s socio-emotional development from Carleton University in Canada.
The research team, which includes experts from Shenzhen Xili Kindergarten, suggests their findings may inform future treatments and strategies for addressing these issues.
“It’s important to understand how screen time impacts the lives of preschool-aged children and its connection to behavioral challenges, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” notes Dr. Zhou.
“Our study has two key takeaways: first, limiting screen time for young children may help reduce behavioral challenges and improve sleep quality; second, sleep-related interventions could effectively counter the negative impacts of screen time on behavior.”
However, the research does have its limitations, including that all data were provided by mothers, which could introduce subjective biases.
The researchers recommend that future studies utilize scientific tools to monitor sleep quality to address this limitation.
