Association between smartphone addiction risk, sleep quality, and sleep duration among Korean school-age children: a population-based panel study

Abstract

Smartphone addiction is regarded as a public health threat to the lives of children and adolescents. However, its association with sleep quality and quantity is poorly understood in the Korean context. This study investigated the association between smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and sleep duration among Korean school-age children. Our study employed data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey of 2018–2019, which included 4287 participants. Smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale. A generalized estimating equation model was used to analyze the data. Children in the high-risk group showed an increased likelihood of poor sleep quality compared to those in the low-risk group (odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, confidence interval (CI) [1.06–2.38]). Children in the potential-risk and high-risk groups showed an increased likelihood of short sleep duration compared to those in the low-risk group (potential-risk: OR = 1.44, CI [1.09–1.90]; high-risk: OR = 2.25, CI [1.66–3.05]) Children who are at high risk for smartphone addiction are likely to have poor sleep quality and short sleep duration. Therefore, appropriate interventions and continuous monitoring are required to protect children from smartphone addiction and improve their sleep quality and duration.