Impact of Bedtime Digital Media Use on Sleep Across Age Groups: Insights From a Nationwide Survey in South Korea

Abstract

Background and Purpose Given the widespread use of digital media, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between bedtime digital media use and sleep disturbances, with a focus on age-related variations. Methods We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of 4,000 participants aged 20–69 years using an online survey between January 2022 and February 2022. The questionnaire assessed the frequency and duration of bedtime digital media use and resulting sleep procrastination, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and awareness of digital media’s impact on sleep. Results Daily bedtime digital media use and sleep procrastination were reported by 64.1% and 23.5% of the participants, respectively. Bedtime digital media usage was correlated with insomnia symptoms, with the highest risk in older males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.627; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.868 to 11.463 for ISI≥15 in daily users). Video content (aOR, 1.208; 95% CI, 1.006 to 1.450) and social networking service use (aOR, 1.215; 95% CI, 1.001 to 1.474) were linked to ISI≥10, though these associations became insignificant after adjusting for the frequency and duration of use. Older age was associated with lower awareness of the potential sleep-disrupting effects of bedtime digital media use (aOR, 0.977; 95% CI, 0.971 to 0.982 per year). Conclusions Bedtime digital media use and resulting sleep procrastination are highly prevalent. Older adults are particularly susceptible to insomnia linked to bedtime digital media use and have a lower awareness of its negative effects. These results indicate a need for public health initiatives to increase awareness and mitigate the negative impacts of digital media on sleep.