P120 The relationship between digital technology and sleep-wake behaviour in children aged 5-8 years

Abstract Introduction Children are growing up in 24-hour digital-enriched environments. Digital life may have significant impacts on a child’s 24-hour sleep-wake behaviours and wellbeing. This study aimed to explore the relationships between sleep, digital technology use, and daytime functioning in children. Method Data for this study were drawn from a pilot study investigating wearable devices in children aged 5-8 years, in their naturalistic environment. Children (N=20, Mage=7.03, SD=1, f=40%) wore an actigraph continuously for 48-hours to monitor sleep. Parents completed a daily digital technology time-use survey, as well as questionnaires to assess the purpose of digital technology use (Child Regulatory Media Use Scale) and daytime sleep related impairment (PROMIS®). Results Mean(SD) sleep onset and offset were 19:55 (00:39) and 05:58 (00:42), respectively. Using digital technology in the 2-hours before sleep was associated with increased parental use of media to regulate children’s emotions and behaviours (r=.59, p=.006), and poorer sleep related daytime impairment (r=.52, p=.02), but not with sleep onset, offset, or duration. Discussion Use of devices 2-hours prior to bedtime was associated with poorer parent-perceived daytime function, but not with objective measures of sleep duration. Use of digital media by children, including personal devices, is increasingly common. Parental choices around the role of screens in the family may be an important determinant of wellbeing. Based on findings from this study, a larger scale study is warranted to quantify and map digital exposures of children in the early years of primary school (5 – 8 years old).