Electronic device and social network use and sleep outcomes among adolescents: the EHDLA study

2023 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 465

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Electronic device and social network use and sleep outcomes among adolescents: the EHDLA study Gaya AR, Brum R, Brites K, Gaya A, de Borba Schneiders L, Duarte Junior MA, López-Gil JF. Electronic device and social network use and sleep outcomes among adolescents: the EHDLA study. BMC Public Health. 2023 May 19;23(1):919. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15579-x. Abstract Background: Considering the evident risk in the literature between the use of screen devices and sleep, there are still few studies on the relationship between each electronic screen device, media programs and sleep duration and sleep-related problems among adolescents and which variables interfere in these relationships. Therefore, this study has the following objectives: (1) to determine which are the most common electronic display devices related to sleep time and outcomes and (2) to determine which are the most common social network applications, such as Instagram and WhatsApp, associated with sleep outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 1101 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. Age, sex, sleep, psychosocial health, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), sport practice, and time spent on screen devices were assessed by an ad hoc questionnaire. Linear regression analyses were applied, adjusting for several covariables. Poisson regression was applied between the sexes. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Cell phone use was more associated with sleep time (13%). In boys, time spent on cell phones (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.09; p < 0.001) and videogames (PR = 1.08; p = 0.005) had a higher prevalence ratio. When psychosocial health was included in the models, we found the greatest association (Model 2: PR = 1.15; p = 0.007). For girls, time spent on the cell phone was significantly associated with sleep-related problems (PR = 1.12; p < 0.001), and adherence to the MD became the second most important in the model (PR = 1.35; p < 0.001), followed by psychosocial health and cell phone use (PR = 1.24; p = 0.007). Time spent on WhatsApp was associated with sleep-related problems only among girls (PR = 1.31; p = 0.001) and was the most important variable in the model along with MD (PR = 1.26; p = 0.005) and psychosocial health (PR = 1.41; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest a relationship between cell phones, video games, and social networks with sleep-related problems and time. Open access paper: bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionharm

PopulationSpanish adolescents aged 12–17 years

Sample size1101

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In this cross-sectional sample of 1101 adolescents, time spent on cell phones was associated with sleep time and sleep-related problems. Among boys, time spent on cell phones and videogames showed higher prevalence ratios for sleep-related problems, and associations were stronger when psychosocial health was included in models. Among girls, cell phone time and WhatsApp time were associated with sleep-related problems, with Mediterranean diet adherence and psychosocial health also important in models.

Outcomes measured

sleep duration/time
sleep-related problems

Limitations

Cross-sectional design (cannot infer causality)
Measures assessed by an ad hoc questionnaire (self-reported)
Frequency/SAR or EMF exposure metrics not reported

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Spanish adolescents aged 12–17 years",
  "sample_size": 1101,
  "outcomes": [
    "sleep duration/time",
    "sleep-related problems"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this cross-sectional sample of 1101 adolescents, time spent on cell phones was associated with sleep time and sleep-related problems. Among boys, time spent on cell phones and videogames showed higher prevalence ratios for sleep-related problems, and associations were stronger when psychosocial health was included in models. Among girls, cell phone time and WhatsApp time were associated with sleep-related problems, with Mediterranean diet adherence and psychosocial health also important in models.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design (cannot infer causality)",
    "Measures assessed by an ad hoc questionnaire (self-reported)",
    "Frequency/SAR or EMF exposure metrics not reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "adolescents",
    "cell phone",
    "smartphone",
    "videogames",
    "social networks",
    "WhatsApp",
    "sleep duration",
    "sleep problems",
    "Mediterranean diet",
    "psychosocial health",
    "cross-sectional"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15579-x
PubMed: Not supplied

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