New research suggests that using devices such as cell phones, tablets, and computers at night is associated with children and teens experiencing a loss of sleep time and sleep quality. Even those who do not use technology before bed are still experiencing sleep problems. The study found a consistent pattern of effect across various countries and settings. The analysis also revealed that children who did not use their devices in their bedrooms still had disrupted sleep and were more likely to experience sleep problems. The lights and sounds emitted by the devices, as well as the content itself, may be too stimulating and affect sleep. The study, conducted by researchers at King’s College London, chose 20 research reports involving 125,198 children between the ages of 14 and 15 that showed an association between bedtime device use and inadequate sleep quantity, poor sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness. The study’s lead author, Dr. Ben Carter, admits that a weakness of the analysis was that the data was self-reported by parents and children. However, a large-scale poll conducted in the United States by the National Sleep Foundation reported that 72% of children and 89% of teens have at least one device in their sleep environment. Most of this technology is used near bedtime. The researchers suggest that the technology negatively influences children’s sleep by delaying their sleep time and by emitting light that affects the circadian rhythm, the internal clock that regulates biological processes. The light from electronic devices can delay the release of melatonin, which makes it harder to fall asleep. Online content may also be psychologically stimulating and keep children and teens awake when they try to sleep. Dr. Sujay Kansagra, director of the pediatric neurology sleep medicine program at Duke University Medical Center, stated that sleep is crucial for brain development, memory, self-regulation, attention, and overall health. He believes that the technology is interfering with sleep hygiene and that children who keep devices in their room may be more likely to avoid a good sleep routine. Neil Kline, a representative of the American Sleep Association, agrees that sleep plays an important role in a child’s healthy development and believes that technology significantly impacts sleep hygiene, especially during the teen years. He suggests having a quiet room by removing electronics and establishing a gadget-free transition time before bed. Other recommendations for good sleep hygiene include not exercising too close to bedtime, establishing a regular sleep schedule, limiting exposure to light before sleep, avoiding stimulants, and creating a comfortable sleep environment.