Study: Kids who sleep near smartphones get less sleep

New research suggests that sleeping in the same room as smartphones and other small screens is linked to less sleep in children.

A new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, looked at 2,000 Massachusetts children ages nine and 12. The children reported "significantly less regular sleep" when a smartphone was nearby, possibly because of notifications, Businessweek reports. Those who slept in the same room as smartphones and other small screens got nearly 21 fewer minutes of sleep a night than those who didn't sleep near electronics.

Other screen usage, such as TV and video games, was also correlated to less sleep, though not as much as smartphone proximity. Children who slept in rooms with TVs lost an average of 18 minutes of sleep a night.

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The study authors admitted that more research is necessary to determine the correlation between smartphones and sleep deprivation. But with other research warning against using e-readers before bed, it might be a good idea to put a limit on your kids' screen time, especially at night.