Two recent studies, reported in the latest issue of Mind magazine, make the case for parents to say “no” to cell phone usage right before kids’ bedtimes.   Talking on cell phones appears to make it harder to fall asleep.   More research is being conducted world-wide concerning cell phone usage and children.  In the United States, researchers are concerned that children’s developing nervous systems may be more vulnerable to wireless devices, such as cell phones.

An Australian study showed that cell phone use activates alpha brain waves which are associated with concentration, and not conducive to sleep. This is not the same kind of concentration associated with homework or other conversation. The scientists believe that these alpha waves are activated so the brain can screen out the pulsed microwave radiation that cell phones give off.

And just how much harder is it for cell phone using kids to fall asleep?  The second study was done in England and found that people who talked on the cell phone for thirty minutes before bedtime took twice as long to fall asleep.

The author for the Australian study was Rodney Croft at Swinburne University of Technology and the English study included James Horne of Loughborough University.

US researchers fear children may be more vulnerable to wireless devices as their nervous system is still developing.

I’ve talked in previous blogs about the importance of a good night’s sleep for kids (and for all of us!)   Activities kids do before bedtime will help their brains prepare for rest.  And rested kids will be more mentally and emotionally alert the following day.  What routines do your kids have at bedtime?

Dr. Dave