Effects of Frequent Smartphone Use on Sleep Problems in Children under 7 Years of Age in Korea: A 4-Year Longitudinal Study

Sangha Lee, Sungju Kim, Sujin Yang and Yunmi Shin ()
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Sangha Lee: Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16500, Korea
Sungju Kim: Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16500, Korea
Sujin Yang: Gwangju Smile Center for Crime Victims, Gwangju 61480, Korea
Yunmi Shin: Department of Psychiatry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16500, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: The use of electronic screen devices has a negative effect on sleep. The purpose of this study is to longitudinally examine the effects of various screen use on sleep problems in children under 7 years of age. A total of 314 caregivers of children aged 4–7 years from three cities in Korea were recruited and responded to a self-administered questionnaire from 2017 to 2020. As a result of the analysis of the mixed model designed as a two-leveled structure, the use frequency of smartphones significantly predicted children’s sleep problems (β = 0.328, p < 0.001) compared to that of TV, PC, and tablet PC. In addition, the frequency of smartphone screen use showed a weak but significant correlation with bedtime resistance (r = 0.067, p = 0.009), sleep duration (r = 0.089, p <0.001), nighttime awakening (r = 0.066, p = 0.010), and daytime sleepiness (r = 0.102, p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that screen time education in Korea should focus on smartphones above all else.

Keywords: screentime; sleep; children; longitudinal study; smartphone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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