Association between screen time and sleep patterns in preschool-age children: A longitudinal observational study

Abstract

Background: The impact of screen time on sleep patterns in preschool-age children is an important area of concern due to the increasing prevalence of digital media usage in this vulnerable population.Aim: to examine the association between screen time and sleep patterns in 200 preschool-age children (aged 3 to 5 years). This study employed a longitudinal observational design to investigate the association between screen times and sleep patterns in preschool-age children over an extended period. The longitudinal approach allowed for the examination of changes in screen time and sleep patterns within the same participants over time, enabling a deeper understanding of the potential bidirectional relationship between these two variables. The participants were evenly distributed across genders and were recruited from various educational institutions and community centres.Results: The results revealed that preschool-age children spent an average of 2.5 hours per day engaged in screen-based activities, including watching television, using tablets, smartphones, or computers for educational or recreational purposes. Additionally, the average total sleep duration for these children was 10.1 hours per night. The study identified a significant negative correlation between daily screen time and total sleep duration (r = -0.32, p< 0.001). This negative association indicates that as screen time increased, total sleep duration decreased in preschool-age children. Moreover, children with higher screen time usage experienced more fragmented sleep patterns, as evidenced by an increased number of nighttime awakenings (p = 0.023). The statistical significance of this association further suggests that excessive screen time may contribute to disrupted sleep patterns and more frequent nighttime awakenings.Conclusion: This longitudinal observational study strengthens the evidence supporting the association between screen time and sleep patterns in preschool-age children. As screen technology continues to play a prominent role in young children's lives, these findings hold crucial implications for promoting healthy screen time habits and preserving optimal sleep quality in early childhood.