The Impact of Sleep Loss on Screen Time in Children: Secondary Analyses of a Randomised Crossover Trial Using Objective Measures of Screen Time
Authors' conclusion
In this secondary analysis, getting less sleep appeared to increase screen time in children during the weekday afternoon and evening hours, compared to when they received more sleep.
Study context
- Population
- Children aged 8–12 years with caregiver-reported sleep of 8–11 h/night; analysed: 10.4 years, 51% female, 41% overweight, 78% European49 with suitable camera data
- Participants
- 105 children
- Comparison
- Sleep restriction vs sleep extension
- Primary endpoint
- Objectively measured screen time (wearable cameras), within-person differences in minutes and as % of awake time
Methodological details7-night washout
- 7-night washout
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
After-school screen time (camera)
Median difference (raw data)
18.7 min
25th, 75th percentiles: −10.2, 72.5; similar screen time
Median difference (Rule 2, blocked images imputed)
66.3 min
25th, 75th percentiles: 7.5, 102.9; greater with sleep restriction
Median difference (Rule 2), % of awake time
6 %
25th, 75th percentiles: 0.5, 10.0; greater with sleep restriction
Further findings
| Outcome | Mean difference (min) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Parent-reported total screen use | 16.8 (1.8–31.8) | |
| −2002040Difference, min (linear scale) |
- Parent-reported total screen use: n = 98
Original publication
The Impact of Sleep Loss on Screen Time in Children: Secondary Analyses of a Randomised Crossover Trial Using Objective Measures of Screen Time. Pediatr Obes. Published 28 August 2025. doi:10.
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