Preventing adverse health outcomes among children and adolescents by addressing screen media practices concomitant to sleep disturbance.

In today’s digital age, screen media use is prevalent in the daily life and functioning of children and adolescents. Sleep disturbance and adverse health outcomes related to screen media practices are on the rise affecting physical, cognitive, and behavioral health outcomes. Mounting evidence from studies worldwide support the following recommendations addressing practice, research, and policy: (a) All practitioners are encouraged to assess youth and their families at each health encounter for screen media practices, sleep disruption and daytime sleepiness, and be able to refer to specialists or be trained on interventions to address problems; (b) Children and families are encouraged to seek information about and take responsibility for screen media use practices, effective sleep habits, and signs and symptoms of adverse health outcomes; (c) Policy makers are encouraged to promote public awareness and provide funding for further research into screen media practices, sleep disturbance, and adverse health outcomes. The American Academy of Nursing (Academy) supports individual, family, community, and population-based initiatives to inform screen media practices among children and adolescents, to assess for and treat adverse health outcomes linked to screen media use, and to help families adopt sleep-friendly practices.