Adolescents’ Sleep Habits, Internet Use and Changing Sleep-Wake Schedule

Abstract

Objective:  The physical and psychological changes experienced during adolescence can change the sleep pattern. However, unconsciously use of internet by adolescents can lead to some problems on sleeping habits. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep habits and internet use and changing sleep-wake schedule in adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The participants were 1498 secondary school students aged 10-14. Sleep habits and internet use and changing sleep-wake schedule were assessed using a questionnaire which was by prepared through by the researchers. Results: Nearly half of the students had sleep problems and the most common sleep problem was difficulty on fall asleep (43.5%).  Almost all of adolescents were used internet and they mostly were spent 1.5-2 hours in internet. It was determined to delay timing of sleep due to use of internet 23.6% of adolescents who used internet and majority of their families (73.9%) had complaints about the negative effects of internet use on sleep. Adolescents’ sleep problems were found to be associated with delaying the timing of sleep due to internet use (p<0.05). Also, adolescents’ internet use was associated with fall asleep duration (p< 0.005). Conclusion: Internet use creates various problems in adolescents’ fall asleep duration and sleep hours when it is used without family control and in a long duration.