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Study reveals smartphones keep a quarter of Brits up at night

Paul Lipscombe
November 21, 2019

Millennials struggle the most to avoid their phone in bed

Nearly a quarter of Britons (23 per cent) struggle to sleep at night due to being distracted by their smartphones according to new research.

The research was commissioned by vendor OnePlus, who surveyed 2,000 people in the UK.

Many people struggle to sleep due to the blue light emitted from the displays of digital devices, which mimics daylight and prevents the body from being able to switch off.

The study found that as many as 86 per cent of millennials report ‘sleeplessness’ from staying up too late, with 15 per cent of this age group (18 to 34 years old) on their phones during the hours of 11pm and 3am.

Unsurprisingly older age groups are less likely to be affected by phone-induced insomnia as a quarter of 35 to 44 year-olds suffer from this, followed by 17 per cent of 45 to 54 year-olds and nine per cent of over-55’s.

The Sleep Council head Lisa Artis commented: “While these results are not surprising, it is eye-opening to read that taking a phone to bed is causing sleepless nights for so many.

“For those who struggle to not use digital devices in the evening, it’s important to look for technology that is helping to restrict blue light and we would encourage the need for tech companies to more mindful of this issue and work to find a solution,” Added Artis.

OnePlus are looking to tackle the “blue light phenomenon”, with new models featuring E3 display panels that reduces blue light by 42 per cent.

Other research found that the bedroom is the second most common place for adults to use their phones (38 per cent) after the living room (47 per cent).

Londoners (51 per cent) are the most likely to use their phones in bed, followed by the Welsh (43 per cent) and the North East (42 per cent).

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