Spending multiple hours daily on electronic devices is associated with shorter sleep duration across all ages, a recent study found. The population-based study of US children aged 0‒17 years compared the association of portable vs non-portable electronic devices with sleep duration throughout childhood. Researchers used data from a 2016 national survey of the caregivers of 43,755 children and adolescents aged 0‒17 years. They found:

• Children and adolescents who spent more time on screens slept fewer hours.
• Short sleep was more strongly associated with portable electronic devices vs stationary devices, especially in adolescents.
• Associations held when controlled for demographics as well as body mass index, mood disorders, and physical activity.