0255 Smartphones In The Bedroom, Sleep, Communication, And Mental Health In Australian School Students

Abstract

Introduction: Smartphones in the bedroom rob sleep time and facilitate communication during the circadian low. These factors may lead to impaired communication and disturbed mental health. However, nighttime messaging may also foster social connection. This was investigated in a large dataset of Australian students. Methods: The Resilient Youth Australia Limited dataset includes more than 180,000 Australian primary and high school students, who completed a 30-60min in-class survey with questions about phone use, sleep, friendships, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Respondents with complete datasets were included in analyses (n=169,352, 7-18y, mean=13 ± 3y, male=49.9%, gender diverse=0.4%). Results: Using phones at night (10pm-6am) at least once in the past week was reported by 55% of respondents. The proportion increased with age, from 25% at 7-8y to 83% by 17-18y. Forty percent reported that they never or only sometimes had 8h or more sleep per night. A third reported that they had responded to a text in anger, 25% that they had received hurtful messages, and 22% that they had been cyberbullied at least once in the past month. A quarter reported that they built friendships not at all or only sometimes. Controlling for age and gender, nighttime phone use was associated with significantly increased odds of: responding in anger (Odds Ratio, OR=4.92, 95%Confidence Intervals, CI=4.80-5.06); receiving hurtful messages (OR=3.96, CI=3.85-4.07); and being cyberbullied (OR=2.78, CI=2.71-2.86). It was also associated with reduced odds of getting 8h or more sleep per night (OR=0.53, CI=0.45-0.56), and higher (less favourable) GHQ-12 scores (13.60 ± 7.14 compared to 10.87 ± 6.52, p<0.01, d=0.4). The odds of building friendships increased (OR=1.18, CI=1.15,1.20). Conclusion: Using cell phones at night is common among children as young as 7y. This may not only impact negatively on sleep, but may also increase angry or hurtful communication, and mental health issues. On the other hand, it may also facilitate friendship building. Interventions to reduce phone use at night must consider the benefits and potential losses associated with change.