OBJECTIVE: Electronic media use is pervasive among adolescents. However, prior studies of media use have not specifically focused on texting behavior, and current estimates of teen texting -- a primary form of communication among adolescents - are based on teens' self-reported use. Evaluating the frequency of nighttime texting is crucial, given evidence that such behaviors may contribute to epidemic levels of insufficient sleep among adolescents. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of objectively recorded outgoing text message data in a sample of adolescents (N=43; M=16.06, SD 1.29 years of age; 63% females). RESULTS: The current study found that texting behavior was ubiquitous in the pre-bedtime period with 98% of adolescents sending at least one text after 8:00 pm. Texting was also very prevalent at night: 70% of participating teens sent at least one text between10:00 pm and 5:59 am. CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to a growing body of literature highlighting the potential role of mobile electronic devices in adolescent sleep disturbances.
OBJECTIVE: Electronic media use is pervasive among adolescents. However, prior studies of media use have not specifically focused on texting behavior, and current estimates of teen texting -- a primary form of communication among adolescents - are based on teens' self-reported use. Evaluating the frequency of nighttime texting is crucial, given evidence that such behaviors may contribute to epidemic levels of insufficient sleep among adolescents. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of objectively recorded outgoing text message data in a sample of adolescents (N=43; M=16.06, SD 1.29 years of age; 63% females). RESULTS: The current study found that texting behavior was ubiquitous in the pre-bedtime period with 98% of adolescents sending at least one text after 8:00 pm. Texting was also very prevalent at night: 70% of participating teens sent at least one text between10:00 pm and 5:59 am. CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to a growing body of literature highlighting the potential role of mobile electronic devices in adolescent sleep disturbances.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescents; media use; mobile technology; nighttime; texting
Authors: Michael Gradisar; Amy R Wolfson; Allison G Harvey; Lauren Hale; Russell Rosenberg; Charles A Czeisler Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2013-12-15 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: Carmen Peiró-Velert; Alexandra Valencia-Peris; Luis M González; Xavier García-Massó; Pilar Serra-Añó; José Devís-Devís Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-06-18 Impact factor: 3.240