Electronic devices are breeding a new generation of sleep deprived and depressed children, an alarming study has revealed.
Australian children as young as three are severely lacking in sleep and are falling behind in school due to excess screen time with iPhones, tablets and computers.
An astonishing two thirds of primary school-aged children and one third of pre-schoolers own their own tablet or smartphone, according to research performed by the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
Australian children as young as three are severely lacking in sleep and are falling behind in school due to excess screen time with iPhones, tablets and computers (Stock image)
An astonishing two thirds of primary school-aged children and one third of pre-schoolers own their own tablet or smartphone (Stock image)
The children who use their devices before bedtime are reportedly turning up to preschool or childcare sleep-deprived and are more likely to be ‘depressed’ and less likely to succeed.
‘A lack of sleep in kids means they are more prone to learning issues, obesity, a whole range of mood issues including depression and anxiety and they are at higher risk of suicide, drug, addiction and sexual promiscuity in older age,’ Dr Chris Seton, a paediatric sleep physician at Sydney’s Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, told the Herald Sun.
Kindergarten-aged children are even being referred to sleep clinics because of their addiction to late night screen time.
In one case reported by the publication, a five-year-old attended a sleep clinic after staying up until 10.30pm using an electronic device.
The child was found to be falling asleep in kindergarten after using his iPhone round-the-clock.
The alarming statistics were found after research was conducted by the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (pictured)
According to a poll conducted by the Royal Children’s Hospital, a staggering 50 per cent of toddlers and preschoolers are using a screen-based device without parental supervision.
‘Almost half of children regularly use screen-based devices at bedtime, with one in four children reporting associated sleep problems,’ paediatrician Dr Anthea Rhode said.
‘Teenagers using screens routinely at bedtime were also more likely to report experiencing online bullying. It’s best to have no screen-time an hour before bed and keep screens out of the bedroom, to ensure a better quality of sleep.’
The recommended sleep-hours for a three-to-five-year-old is between 10 and 13 hours.
But it is now becoming more and more acceptable for young children to own their own devices – and to keep those devices in their rooms.
According to a poll conducted by the Royal Children’s Hospital, a staggering 50 per cent of toddlers and preschoolers are using a screen-based device without parental supervision (Stock image)
This is severely impacting the sleep patterns of Australian primary-school pupils and can have a detrimental effect on course-work, mental health and overall success.
‘Excessive screen time can lead to problems including sleep difficulties, increased risk of obesity and poor performance at school,’ E-Safety commissioner Julie Inman Grant told the Herald Sun.
Dr Rhodes warns parents there is no real benefit for young children to engage with electronic devices.
‘There is little evidence to support the idea that screen use benefits the development of infants and toddlers, but physical playtime and face-to-face contact is proven to be critical to a child’s development,’ she said.
‘If you do offer screen time to your young child, it’s better if you watch it with them, so you can talk together about what they are seeing and help children to learn from the experience.’