New data from MattressNextDay reveals that 82% of UK parents worry about their child’s sleep during the summer holidays, with excessive screen time emerging as the top concern. The Child Sleep Survey Reports, conducted by the sleep experts, highlight how screen use disrupts bedtime routines, fuels parental anxiety, and sparks conflicts at home.
The survey found that 47% of parents cite excessive screen use as the primary factor disrupting their child’s sleep, followed by noise and light in the environment (32%) and lack of consistent routine (29%). Social media (28%), late-night snacks (24%), and bedtime anxieties about school (20%) or friends (16%) also contribute. Notably, 92% of UK children use screens before bed, exacerbating issues like inconsistent routines and heightened anxiety, which make falling asleep harder.
Key factors disrupting children’s sleep
- Excessive screen use: 47%
- Noise/light in the environment: 32%
- Lack of consistent routine: 29%
- Social media or messages: 28%
- Late-night snacks: 24%
- Bedtime anxiety or worries about school: 20%
- Bedtime anxiety or worries about friends: 16%
The data aligns with recent research from Norway, which found that screen use before bed increases the risk of insomnia by 59% and reduces sleep duration by 15 minutes per hour of use. A separate study noted that each hour on a touchscreen before bed costs an average of 24 minutes of sleep. With 53% of parents reporting increased screen time during the summer, these findings underscore a growing challenge.
Despite children getting 15% more sleep during the holidays, 82% of parents remain concerned about sleep quality. The survey also revealed that 83% of parents experience bedtime conflicts, with 41% struggling to enforce screen time limits. However, 86% of parents have attempted to set boundaries, and those who succeed report significant benefits.
Improvements noticed when limiting evening screen time
- Fell asleep more easily: 48%
- Seemed more rested in the morning: 44%
- Improved school performance: 35%
- Woke up less during the night: 28%
- Seemed less anxious at bedtime: 21%
- Increased conflict between us: 17%
- Fewer nightmares or night terrors: 16%
Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay, shared practical strategies to curb screen use. “Limiting screen time before bed is tough in a world where screens are everywhere,” Seeley said. “Evening screen use delays melatonin release, making it harder to fall and stay asleep.” His four tips include creating a “No-Glow Zone” by keeping devices out of bedrooms, trading the last 10 minutes of screen time for calming activities like reading, setting a consistent “Screens-Off O’clock” time, and following the “Mirror Rule” where parents model the same screen-free habits they expect from their children.
“Small changes add up,” Seeley added. “It’s not about perfection but creating a sleep-friendly environment.” These strategies aim to reduce the 59% increased insomnia risk linked to pre-bed screen use and improve overall sleep quality.
The survey also highlighted that 67% of UK adults prioritise mattress comfort when choosing a child’s bed, suggesting that physical sleep environments remain a key concern.
The rise in searches for “child won’t sleep” by 70% over the past 30 days reflects the urgency of the issue. As screens become harder to escape, parents face an uphill battle to protect their children’s rest. Yet, with consistent boundaries and expert-backed strategies, families can reclaim bedtime and foster healthier sleep habits.
