Teen insomnia linked to cellphone use

by Rob Peters | June 10, 2008 at 11:01 am

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Teenagers who use their cellphones a lot don't sleep very well, according to a new study.

This seems to me like another chicken or egg thing. Did the scientists find the connection simply because people prone to distraction (and thus sleep disturbance) are apt to be frequent phoners in the first place?

If your child is having a hard time falling asleep, tell her to forget about counting sheep and hang up her cellphone instead.

A new study presented yesterday at SLEEP 2008, the Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, found teenagers who use their cellphones excessively are more prone to disrupted sleep, restlessness, stress and fatigue.

"It is necessary to increase the awareness among youngsters of the negative effects of excessive mobile phone use on their sleep-wake patterns," wrote Gaby Badre, the study's author, adding that lack of sleep can have health risks and affect attention and cognitive abilities.

The study, which adds to a growing body of research about the impact of cellphones on sleep patterns, followed 21 subjects between the ages of 14 and 20, all of whom had regular schedules and no history of sleep problems.

The participants were divided into two groups, one that made less than five calls and/or text messages a day, and the other that made more than 15 calls and/or text messages a day.

The teens were also asked to keep sleep diaries and answer questionnaires about their lifestyle and sleep habits.

According to the results, the young people who used their cellphones excessively had increased restlessness, consumed more energy drinks, had difficulty falling asleep and were more susceptible to stress and fatigue.

One of the subjects sent more than 200 text messages a day. Only one teen turned their cellphone off at night.

In January, another study, by Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden, found that radiation released by cellphones appeared to cause insomnia, headaches and difficulties in concentration.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine offered the following tips on how to get a good night's sleep. Surprisingly, they did not recommend turning off your cellphone.

Follow a consistent bedtime routine.

Avoid foods or drinks that contain caffeine, and any medicine that has a stimulant, prior to bedtime.

Do not stay up all night to "cram" for an exam or do homework.

Keep computers and TVs out of the bedroom.