Quantity, Content, and Context Matter: Associations Among Social Technology Use and Sleep Habits in Early Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the associations of social technology access and content, bedtime behaviors, parental phone restrictions, and timing and duration of sleep on school nights in early adolescents.

Methods: Adolescents (aged 11-15 years, n = 772) in the Northeast U.S. completed an online survey during or after school in spring 2019.

Results: Quantity of social technology use (e.g., checking social media, problematic internet behaviors, mobile use), content viewed (e.g., emotional or violent videos, risky behaviors), and social context (e.g., bedtime behaviors, starting social media at an early age) were significantly related to later bedtimes and fewer hours of sleep on school nights. Parental rules restricting mobile phone and online use before bed and obtaining a smartphone at a later age were associated with increased sleep time and earlier bedtime.

Conclusions: Quantity, content, and context of social technology use may affect sleep timing and duration in early adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent; Mobile use; Screen time; Sleep; Social media; YouTube.