Unveiling the link: Screen dependency and sleep pattern disturbances in preadolescent children

TL;DR

This study examines how screen dependency affects sleep patterns in children aged 9-12 and highlights the need for interventions.

Contribution

The study identifies a significant link between screen dependency and sleep disturbances in preadolescent children.

Findings

Sleep disturbances were categorized as mild, moderate, and severe based on the Sleep Quality Scale.

Screen dependency was significantly associated with religion, and sleep disturbances were linked to age.

The findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to address screen-related sleep issues in children.

Abstract

Sleep pattern disturbances among 75 preadolescent children (aged 9-12 years) at The NGP School, Coimbatore, in 2025, with 42
identified as having screen dependency is of interest. Using the Digital Addiction Scale for Children (DASC) and Sleep Quality Scale
(SQS), data were collected via structured interviews. Using the SQS, sleep disturbances were categorized as mild (31%, 1-43), moderate
(33%, 44-87) and severe (36%, 88-130). Significant associations were found between age and sleep disturbances (χ2=27.06,
df=4, p<0.05) and religion with screen dependency (χ2=18.96, df=4, p<0.05). Thus, we show the need for interventions
to address screen-related sleep issues in preadolescents.