Identifying drivers for bedtime social media use despite sleep costs: the adolescent perspective

Scott, H. , Biello, S. and Cleland Woods, H. (2019) Identifying drivers for bedtime social media use despite sleep costs: the adolescent perspective. Sleep Health, 5(6), pp. 539-545. (doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2019.07.006) (PMID:31523005)

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Abstract

Objectives: Bedtime social media use is associated with poor sleep during adolescence, which in turn contributes to poor mental health, impaired daytime functioning and lower academic achievement. However, the underlying drivers for these bedtime social media habits remain understudied. This study adds an adolescent perspective on motivations for bedtime social media use and perceived impact on sleep. Methods: Adolescents aged 11–17 years (n = 24) participated in focus group discussions exploring their experiences of using social media, particularly at night. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis produced themes that captured underlying drivers for social media use and associated impact on sleep. Results: Our analyses produced two overarching themes: Missing Out and Norms & Expectations. Adolescents' nighttime social media use was driven by concerns over negative consequences for real-world relationships if they disconnected (often reporting delayed bedtimes, insufficient sleep and daytime tiredness). These concerns included the risk of offline peer exclusion from missing out on online interactions, and the fear of social disapproval from violating norms around online availability and prompt responses. Conclusions: These findings offer novel insight into why adolescents may choose to prioritize social media over sleep. Researchers and practitioners can respond to the evolving needs of today's adolescents by approaching social media use not as a technology-based activity, but as an embedded social experience underpinned by the same concerns as offline interactions.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Scott, HOLLY and Cleland Woods, Heather and Biello, Professor Stephany
Authors: Scott, H., Biello, S., and Cleland Woods, H.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
Journal Name:Sleep Health
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:2352-7218
ISSN (Online):2352-7226
Published Online:12 September 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Sleep Health 5(6): 539-545
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
591547ESRC Doctoral Training Centre 2011...Mary Beth KneafseyEconomic and Social Research Council (ESRC)ES/J500136/1VPO VICE PRINCIPAL RESEARCH & ENTERPRISE