Scribd
Upload
21 views

The Influence of Social Media Usage on Adolescent Sleep Patterns A Quantitative Analysis

Uploaded by

serialghostspooks
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
21 views

The Influence of Social Media Usage on Adolescent Sleep Patterns A Quantitative Analysis

Uploaded by

serialghostspooks
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Title: The Influence of Social Media Usage on Adolescent Sleep Patterns: A

Quantitative Analysis

Author: Dr. John Smith, PhD


Department of Sleep Medicine, Global Health University

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between social media usage and
sleep patterns among adolescents aged 13-18. Utilizing a survey of 500 high
school students, the research examines the amount of time spent on social
media platforms and its correlation with sleep quality and duration. Results
suggest that higher social media engagement, particularly before bedtime, is
associated with poorer sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, and delayed
sleep onset. These findings highlight the potential negative impact of social
media on adolescent sleep and suggest the need for targeted interventions
to improve sleep hygiene in this demographic.

Keywords

Social media, sleep patterns, adolescents, sleep quality, sleep duration,


digital habits, sleep hygiene

1. Introduction

Adolescence is a critical period for sleep development, with sufficient sleep


being vital for cognitive function and overall well-being. However, the rise of
social media usage among teenagers has raised concerns about its impact
on sleep. Research has shown that excessive screen time, especially before
sleep, may disrupt circadian rhythms and negatively affect sleep. This study
aims to assess the extent to which social media use influences sleep
patterns in adolescents.

2. Methodology

Participants:
500 high school students (aged 13-18) from four schools participated in the
survey. The sample was balanced in terms of age, gender, and socio-
economic background.

Data Collection:
Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing their social media
usage, sleep habits, and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality
Index (PSQI).

Analysis:
Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to examine the
relationship between social media usage (measured in hours per day) and
sleep outcomes (duration, quality, and onset).

3. Results

3.1 Social Media Usage and Sleep Duration


On average, students who reported using social media for more than 4 hours
per day had a sleep duration of 6.2 hours, compared to 7.5 hours in students
who used social media for less than 1 hour per day.

3.2 Sleep Quality


Students with higher social media usage before bed scored significantly
lower on the PSQI, indicating poorer sleep quality (p < 0.01). Sleep
disturbances, such as waking up during the night and difficulty falling asleep,
were more prevalent in this group.

3.3 Sleep Onset


A strong correlation (r = 0.6) was found between social media usage before
bedtime and delayed sleep onset, with students spending more than an hour
on social media before sleep reporting a 45-minute delay in falling asleep.

4. Discussion

The results suggest that social media usage, particularly late at night, has a
detrimental effect on adolescent sleep patterns. The blue light emitted from
screens and the cognitive stimulation from social media content may
interfere with the natural sleep-wake cycle. Given that sleep is essential for
academic performance and emotional regulation, these findings underscore
the importance of promoting healthy digital habits among teenagers.
5. Conclusion

This study highlights the negative effects of excessive social media use on
sleep in adolescents. Educating teenagers on the importance of limiting
screen time, particularly before bed, could improve sleep quality and overall
health. Further research is needed to explore the long-term consequences of
disrupted sleep patterns due to social media usage.

References

 LeBourgeois, M. L., et al. (2017). The impact of screen media on


adolescent sleep. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 33, 23-34.

 Twenge, J. M., et al. (2018). Association between screen time and sleep
duration in adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(1), 91-
98.

 Van der Laan, J. A., et al. (2020). Blue light exposure and sleep
disruption in adolescents. Journal of Sleep Research, 29(2), e12964.

You might also like