Adolescent Technology, Sleep, and Physical Activity Time in Two U.S. Cohorts, 2002–2014

Paula Fomby, University of Michigan
Joshua Goode , University of Colorado Boulder
Kim-Phuong Truong-Vu, University of Colorado Boulder
Stefanie Mollborn, University of Colorado Boulder

This study examines time spent on electronic media consumption, physical activity, and sleep by U.S. adolescents ages 11 to 17 across two birth cohorts using time diary data. Data come from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement from 1997 (N=1,272) and 2014-2016 (N=493). Descriptive results show that electronic media use has increased by 14% since 2002, with increases occurring primarily as the result of increased technology use as a secondary activity. Multivariate results show that total technology time predicts losses in time spent on physical activity, while exhibiting no association with sleep. Latent class analysis is used to examine profiles of technology use, with four classes emerging. Technology-use profiles were predictive of losses in both physical activity and sleep.

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 Presented in Session 4. Marriage, Family, Households, & Unions