Abstract: Aim: This study aimed to prospectively analyze the relationship between screen time and sleep patterns among school-age children, examining the impact of screen exposure on total sleep duration, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and daytime sleepiness.

Materials & Methods: A total of 110 children aged 6 to 12 years were recruited for this 12-week prospective study. Data collection included structured questionnaires, validated screen time logs, the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and wrist-worn actigraphy devices (n=50). Weekly screen time logs and daily sleep diaries recorded screen exposure and sleep parameters. Multiple regression analysis assessed the impact of screen time, age, gender, and socioeconomic status on sleep outcomes.

Results: Screen time was significantly higher on weekends (4.2 ± 1.5 hours) compared to weekdays (2.5 ± 1.1 hours) (p< 0.001). Subjective data from CSHQ revealed significant bedtime resistance (p = 0.018), sleep onset delay (p = 0.022), and reduced sleep duration (p = 0.005). Actigraphy results showed decreased total sleep duration (7.9 ± 0.8 hours, p< 0.001), prolonged sleep latency (25.3 ± 7.5 minutes, p = 0.011), and lower sleep efficiency (85.4 ± 5.2%, p = 0.037). Regression analysis confirmed that screen time significantly predicted shorter sleep duration (β = -0.42, p< 0.001), increased latency (β = 0.34, p< 0.001), reduced efficiency (β = -0.28, p< 0.001), and greater daytime sleepiness (β = 0.30, p< 0.001). Age was also a significant predictor, while gender and socioeconomic status showed minimal associations.

Conclusion: Excessive screen time is significantly associated with poorer sleep outcomes in school-age children, including shorter sleep duration, prolonged latency, reduced efficiency, and increased daytime sleepiness. Age emerged as an additional contributing factor, while gender and socioeconomic status had limited effects. Interventions targeting reduced screen exposure, particularly before bedtime, are essential to promote healthier sleep patterns in children.