Kaitie+and+Jessalyn

By: Charlene Laino
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Summary:
In 2008 European researchers began reporting that cell phone use may have a negative effect of teenagers' sleeping habits. The more you use your cell phone the more likely you are to feel tired during the day, and have trouble sleeping at night. When tested in a regulated study, 10 of 21 teenagers, aged 14 to 21, were using their phones no more than first times a day. 11 of the 21 were heavy users, making at least 15 calls and or text messages per day. Researchers also found that 7 of the 11 heavy users work up after noon, compared to only 2 of the light users. Badre also claimed that there was no difference in mental states between the light and heavy users. He expects that having allotted phone time during the day will help teenagers rest peacefully at night. Badre says that a larger study where the cell phone is taken away from the heavy users will help determine if the new technology is really whats to blame.

Quotes:
Also, "much to our surprise, we didn't find any difference in mental states -- like depression or anxiety -- between the two groups," Badre says.

"Teens and parents need to be aware of the risks of this kind of gadget," Badre says.

But "structured phone-free time slots throughout the day" may help improve sleep, he says.

"There are two different types of personalities, and the cell-phone type is on all the time," he tells WebMD.

"teenagers who use their phones more than 15 times a day have more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep than those who use their phones sparingly."

"What we need to do now is take the cell phones away from the teens who are using them most and see if their sleep improves," he says.

Facts:
Heavy users- Had a harder time getting up in the morning. They woke at 10:50 am, on average, vs. 8:34 a.m. for the light users.

Woke up more often during the night.

Spent more time tossing and turning before falling asleep.

Drank more soft drinks that pack a punch of caffeine.

Drank more alcohol.

"teenagers who use their phones more than 15 times a day have more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep"