The influence of media on the sleep quality in adolescents

Akçay D, Akçay BD. The influence of media on the sleep quality in adolescents. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 255-263. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of media devices on sleep quality in adolescents. Applying a descriptive design, the study was carried out with 9th, 10th and 11th grade students (N=392, 52.0% female, average age 16.04±0.86) who were attending Konya High School between the dates of January 18 and 22, 2016. Changes were seen to occur in the wake-up times of those who had either a television or a computer in their bedrooms (p < 0.005, p < 0.05, respectively). Overall, it was determined that the students who participated in the study had poor sleep quality (66.6%). A positive correlation was detected between the amount of time the adolescents spent watching TV, using the internet, and playing games on their mobile phone, and the wake-up times (r=0.154, p < 0.005; r=0.152, p < 0.005; r=0.258, p < 0.001; r=0.232, p < 0.001, respectively). A negative correlation was detected between playing computer/console games and listening to music and sleep duration in the adolescents (respectively, r=-0.149, p < 0.005; r=-0.107, p < 0.05). The results showed that as the adolescents spent more time with their media products (except TV watching), their sleep quality deteriorated. In adolescents, the duration and quality of sleep were found to be affected by certain aspects of media use. It is therefore recommended that families regulate the intended purpose and content of their children's media use and limit the time spent with media. Moreover, media products should be removed from their bedrooms. More training and intervention studies on sleep patterns and media literacy should be conducted with this study group.