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1/3 of teens sleep with mobile device in bed

Woman sleeping in bed and holding a mobile phone.

Do you sleep with your mobile device? 29% of US teens now keep their mobile device in bed with them as they sleep (33% female, 26% for males). 62% of parents sleep with their device in reach of their bed.

Two findings from the new report “The New Normal: Screens and Sleep in the United States” by Common Sense media (n = 1000 (500 parents, 500 teens nationwide US) – Fieldwork February 2019)

Other interesting statistics;

Teens

  • 32% Use mobile device within five minutes of waking up
  • 29% Sleep with mobile device in bed
  • 40% Use mobile device within five minutes of going to sleep
  • ‹36% Wake up to check mobile device at least once during the night

Parents

  • 23% Use mobile device within five minutes of waking up
  • 12% Sleep with mobile device in bed
  • 26% Use mobile device within five minutes of going to sleep
  • ‹26% Wake up to check mobile device at least once during the night

Other findings include the belief among 45% of parents and 39% of teens that they are addicted to their mobile device, and that 52% of parents and 37% regularly try to cut down on time spent with their mobile device.

The full report, which can be downloaded here, is balanced – and explicitly notes that we do not yet have compelling evidence to show that our relationship with digital devices directly harms our wellbeing.

However, we do know that good sleep promotes wellbeing. Therefore, to the degree that digital disrupts or deteriorates sleep, digital can be said to indirectly harm wellbeing.

It’s not that digital is necessarily bad for wellbeing, it’s may be just that digital is replacing – or displacing – stuff that’s good for wellbeing.

Screens and Sleep 2019 – Common Sense Media
Screens and Sleep 2019 – Common Sense Media

Written by
Dr Paul Marsden
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Digital wellbeing covers the latest scientific research on the impact of digital technology on human wellbeing. Curated by psychologist Dr. Paul Marsden (@marsattacks). Sponsored by WPP agency SYZYGY.