News
The article is more than 16 years old

TV, Computers and Phones Hamper Kids' Slumber

Children's sleep problems could be caused by poorly-established evening routines, according to paediatric neurologist Outi Saarenpää-Heikkilä. Up to 15 percent of girls and eight percent of boys have trouble falling or staying asleep, she says.

Lapset katsovat televisiota
Image: Yle

In the Finnish Medical Journal, Saarenpää-Heikkilä writes that television and computers in particular can disturb youth sleep patterns. She recommends that parents limit their children's use of electronic entertainment before bedtime.

“Televisions do not belong in children’s bedrooms, and computer use should be monitored. Mobile phones should also be turned off at night,” she writes.

Saarenpää-Heikkilä says that stress, fear of insomnia, or changes in sleeping rhythm can cause sleeplessness.

She adds biological changes which occur during puberty can also cause sleep problems. She argues that middle-school students' schooldays should not begin until nine in the morning, to allow children to get more sleep.

Sources: Finnish Medical Journal, YLE