Kids’ sleeping habits disrupted by sneaky media use

ANN ARBOR-Preschoolers who spend more time watching television, playing video games or using computers-especially if they're sneaky at bedtime-get less sleep, say University of Michigan researchers. Increased media use is linked to a shorter night sleep and a longer daytime nap for preschoolers, according to a new study by Jessica Moorman and Kristen Harrison of the U-M Department of Communication Studies. Previous research indicates that children aged 2-5 should only use screen media for about one hour a day to ensure their healthy growth and development. This guideline, however, is rarely followed. In the current study, daily screen time for preschoolers was more than double this recommendation. This isn't good, because media use can chip away at a restful night's sleep for young children, threatening their ability to get the 10-13 hours of sleep they need per night, Moorman and Harrison said. Inadequate sleep among children has been linked to obesity, depression and anxiety, as well as weak school performance and poor social behaviors, such as acting out or displaying aggression toward peers.