Screens before bedtime: investigating the impact of screen use on sleep health in children

The findings are discussed and considerations for future research outlined.<br><br>The second chapter of this thesis details an empirical study which aimed to experimentally test whether reducing screen use at bedtime improved the sleep health of six individual children who had difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep.

An ABAB single-case experimental design was used to control for participant factors while manipulating screen use in the hour before bedtime. Data were collected over four weeks using parent-report sleep and screen use diaries, and actigraphy. The results and implications are discussed with along with recommendations for future research.<br><br><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2026.</i><br><br>