Use of a Cell Phone by Teens Before and During Sleep-Time Patricia Edwards, MD

1. Use of a Cell Phone by Teens Before and During Sleep-Time Patricia Edwards, MD with support from Ardis Olson, MD and Deborah Johnson, Dartmouth CO-OP Project Results • Background/Purpose Many teens use cell phones on a daily basis. There are increasing numbers of studies outside the United States indicating that cell phone usage may complicate physiological and psychological problems. The aim of this small pilot study was to examine the teens who are using their cell phone at bed time and for what purposes. * Methods Three hundred fifty-three (353) teens at Concord Pediatrics completed an 8-item survey about their use of a cell phone. * p < .01 p < .001 Anecdotal Report Teens report that the content of night-time calls is often around the break-up of relationships. Conclusion p < .001 • Most teens take their cell phones to bed and the majority text in bed. • Texting in bed increases as teens grow older. Implications/Next Steps • What is the impact of bedtime texting on falling asleep and sleep duration? • Which teens are prone to texting? • What issues are teens texting about? • Other practice participants. p = NS