JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The impact of electronic media use on sleep quality has been a topic of widespread concern, as it raises questions about the relationship between technology and human well-being. Recent research suggests that the utilization of these screen devices negatively affect sleep quality due to a range of factors, including time displacement, hormonal changes, and emotional arousal. Several meta-analytic studies have also provided evidence supporting this claim. It is important to note, however, that these studies are not without limitations of their own.

Objective:

This study aims to clarify and compare the effects of different forms of digital media (e.g., smartphones, online games, social media) on sleep quality, by drawing upon the published literature.

Methods:

This research conducted a meta-analysis around electronic media use and sleep quality, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was performed on Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar, from January 1, 2018 to February 12, 2023. Two trained coders were used to code the characteristics of the studies independently. The effect sizes were calculated using the correlation coefficient as a standardized measure of the relationship between electronic media or devices use and sleep quality across studies. Statistical methods such as funnel plots were utilized to assess the presence of asymmetry and p-curve test to test p hacking problem, which can indicate publication bias.

Results:

Following a thorough screening process, the 42 items have been categorized into two distinct categories of electronic media use: general use and problematic use, with 33634 participants from 18 countries or regions included in the meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis results of general group, electronic media use was associated with a significant decrease in sleep quality. The pooled effect size was 0.28 (k=13, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.28). According to the meta-analysis results of problematic group, problematic electronic media use was associated with a significant increase in sleep problems. The pooled effect size was -0.34 (k=29, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.39). The sub-group analysis results indicated that the effect of the relationship between general smartphone use and sleep problems was r=0.325 (CI 0.219-0.424), which was the highest among the general group; the effect of the relationship between problematic internet use and sleep problems was r=0.51 (CI 0.43-0.59), which was the highest among the problematic group. There are significant differences among these sub-groups (general group : Qbetween = 15.25, p < .001; problematic group : Qbetween = 28.44, p < .001). The results of the meta-regression analysis using age, gender, and culture as moderators indicated that only cultural difference in the relationship between Eastern and Western culture was significant (Qbetween = 12.894, p < .001). All funnel plots and p-curve analyses showed no evidence of publication and selection bias.

Conclusions:

Although effect sizes may have a small degree of variation among studies, the general trend indicates a distinct correlation between elevated electronic media usage and poorer sleep outcomes. Additionally, this correlation was significantly more prominent in Eastern cultures.