Say "GDNT": Frequency of Adolescent Texting at Night.

OBJECTIVE: Electronic media use is pervasive among adolescents. However, prior studies of media use have not specifically focused on texting behavior, and current estimates of teen texting -- a primary form of communication among adolescents - are based on teens' self-reported use. Evaluating the frequency of nighttime texting is crucial, given evidence that such behaviors may contribute to epidemic levels of insufficient sleep among adolescents.

METHODS: Descriptive analysis of objectively recorded outgoing text message data in a sample of adolescents (N=43; M=16.06, SD 1.29 years of age; 63% females).

RESULTS: The current study found that texting behavior was ubiquitous in the pre-bedtime period with 98% of adolescents sending at least one text after 8:00 pm. Texting was also very prevalent at night: 70% of participating teens sent at least one text between10:00 pm and 5:59 am.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to a growing body of literature highlighting the potential role of mobile electronic devices in adolescent sleep disturbances.