Screen exposure and sleep: How the COVID-19 pandemic influenced children and adolescents - A questionnaire-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the exposure to electronic devices in children, influencing their lifestyle and their sleep. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between the augmented screen exposure and sleep habits in children during and after the pandemic.

Methods

Using the "Google Forms" tool, we created an online questionnaire addressed to parents of children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. We explored the use of screens before and during/after the lockdown and assessed the presence of sleep disturbances through the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), referring to the period before and during/after COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

We collected 1084 valid questionnaires (median age 8.5 ± 4.1 years). We observed a signific

SUBMITTER: Moavero R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10102534 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature