The researchers from University of Basel in Switzerland reported that teenagers spend more time on their smartphone, especially during nights which may affect their sleep and noticed an increase risk of depressive symptoms. The study was performed observing over 300 students which showed teenagers spend more time on the internet, nearly about two hours.

The study noticed a drastic use of internet before sleep and most teenagers like to be online the whole night, watch videos, chatting with friends and loved ones. About 47 per cent teenagers don't keep the phone on silent while sleeping and this could have severe impact on their sleep. Also the average messaging number has increased by 12 times. Teenagers write about 85 messages daily and they mainly chat through WhatsApp. When compared to weekdays, teenagers like stay online the whole night during weekends and do some unproductive work. The cheap rates offered by service providers and wireless facilities at home, are also the culprits in killing the sleep of teenagers, sad the study.

The researchers recommended teenagers to keep their phones aside while sleeping if they are suffering with sleeping disorders or depressive symptoms. They also suggested to use digital media platforms adversely. he findings were published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

- TVR