A recent study from the University of South Australia’s Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre reveals that late-night smartphone use is significantly associated with increased stress and anxiety among teenagers. The study, which surveyed over 50,000 students aged 7-19, highlights the interplay between digital device use, sleep deprivation, and cyberbullying.
The research found that phone use during the night disrupted sleep patterns and negatively affected mental health across all age groups, with a particularly severe impact on those who experienced cyberbullying. The study underscores the pressing need for parents to manage their children’s digital habits to mitigate these risks.
Among teenagers aged 12-19, approximately 66% of girls and 58% of boys reported experiencing cyberbullying in the past school term. For teenage girls, 17% reported sleeping less than eight hours a night, while 13% of boys reported similar sleep deprivation. Stress levels categorized as moderate-to-severe were reported by 38% of girls and 23% of boys.
While primary-aged children (7-11 years) experienced lower rates of cyberbullying and sleep issues, 20% still reported moderate-to-severe stress. The study defined “nighttime” as the period when children are supposed to be sleeping, rather than the time before bed.
Dr. Stephanie Centofanti, a researcher at UniSA, noted that girls are particularly vulnerable due to higher rates of nighttime smartphone use and earlier social media exposure. “We found that both nighttime phone use and inadequate sleep peaked in early adolescence and were more pronounced among young girls,” said Dr. Centofanti.
The study also highlighted that pre-teens, who are less equipped to handle socio-emotional stress, are at greater risk of developing disorders. The researchers observed that while boys are more prone to physical bullying, girls are more often targets of psychological or relational bullying, which is exacerbated by online platforms.
Approximately 15% of children reported experiencing cyberbullying, with a higher prevalence among primary school boys and secondary school girls. The study found that over one-third of primary school children and more than 60% of teenagers used their phones during the night. Among those who experienced cyberbullying, nearly 75% checked their phones throughout the night, compared to less than 50% of those who had not been cyberbullied.
Dr. Centofanti emphasized the importance of parental oversight in managing nighttime smartphone use, particularly for children vulnerable to cyberbullying, to ensure they receive adequate sleep.
