According to a new study by researchers, watching television can affect a child’s sleep quality and duration.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, USA, found that preschool children who watch television for less than an hour a day get 22 minutes more nighttime sleep compared to children who sit in front of the TV for more than an hour a day, or sleep approximately 2.5 hours more per week.
While afternoon naps are longer in children who watch more television, it cannot compensate for the lack of nighttime sleep.
This study involved 470 preschool children who wore an actigraph device for 16 days. This device is used to determine sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Questions were also asked of the children’s parents and caregivers regarding their health and behavior.
The findings showed that preschool children who watch television get significantly less sleep compared to other children.
According to the World Health Organization, children between 2 and 4 years old should not sit sedentary in front of the TV for more than an hour a day, and the less time they spend watching television than an hour, the better.