Summary: This study investigated the
prevalence of technology-use rules, typical sleep habits, and associations
between rules and sleep using the representative 2017–2018 California Health
Interview Survey adolescent sample.
Adolescents
aged 12–17 years completed the California Health Interview Survey, including
queries of (1) rules at home regarding times to turn off or put away
electronics and (2) school-night bedtime and rise time. Rates of rules and
associations between rules and sleep were investigated using descriptive statistics
and bivariate and multivariable analyses.
Findings: Seventy-two percent
reported technology-use rules. Rates were comparable across subgroups. Rules
and sleep were not significantly associated after adjusting for covariates.
Reported time in bed fell below National Sleep Foundation guidelines for 38% of
participants.
Most adolescents reported technology-use rules at
home. Associations between rules and bedtime were mixed, suggesting that
further exploration of contextual and developmental factors is needed. Many
reported inadequate sleep duration, supporting sleep as a key topic in adolescent
health.