Daniela Rodrigues, Augusta Gama, Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues, Helena Nogueira, Vítor Rosado-Marques, Maria-Raquel G. Silva, Cristina Padez
Highlights
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Media devices were more common in high-than low-SES households.
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Media devices allocated in children’s bedroom were more prevalent in low-SES families.
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Television and mobile devices in the bedroom significantly increased screen-time.
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Television and mobile devices in the bedroom significantly decreased sleep-time.
Abstract
Background
The literature has shown a widespread use of portable electronic devices among children over the last years. This study aimed to identify the availability of different media devices at home versus in children’s bedroom according to the socioeconomic status (SES), and analyze the association between that availability and children’s screen- and sleep-time on week and weekend days.
Methods
Data from 3 to 10 year-old children (n = 8430) from a cross-sectional study conducted in Portugal (2016/17) was used. Screen- and sleep-time, availability of media devices, father and mother education (as a proxy measured of SES) were assessed via questionnaire.
Results
Available devices at home were significantly more common among high-SES families; while media devices in the bedroom were more frequent in low-SES families (p < 0.001). In preschool and elementary school-aged children, media devices in the bedroom were associated with increase screen-time and shorter sleep per day. Also, mobile devices in the bedroom were shown to exert similar, or even more, influence on children’s screen- and sleep-time as television.
Conclusions
Further research is needed to explore the pathways by which different electronic media negatively impacts on children’s sleep and screen-time and to develop effective strategies to minimize device access at bedtime.
