LONDON: Six in 10 children get too little sleep, often because they are glued to television or tablet computers, research shows.
A survey also found that more than half of youngsters aged between the ages of two and 11 do not have a regular bedtime.
Digital overload and poor parenting have led to a crisis in sleeping habits, experts warn. Two-thirds of children experience difficulty falling asleep, or suffer from problems such as sleep talking or walking, which can further diminish the quality of rest.
Four out of 10 children are allowed to watch television or use a tablet in their bedrooms, while a quarter are not read a bedtime story, the survey found.
Researchers quizzed 2 064 adults who care for a child aged two to 11.
They found 57 percent of children between two and four get less than their needed 11.5 hours of sleep a night.
The issue is more pronounced in those in primary school, with about 65 percent not getting the recommended hours.
The UK National Health Service advises those aged seven should sleep for 10.5 hours a night, while 11- year-olds need 9.5 hours.
Scientists claim that a lack of sleep can affect a child's memory and academic performance.
It has also been linked to obesity, a reduced immune system, bad moods and behavioural problems. Sara Wadsworth of The Junior Fine Bedding Company, which did the survey, said: "Today's busy lifestyles appear to be having a detrimental impact on the amount and quality of sleep our children are getting, squeezing the time for a regular bedtime and bedtime routine." Other reasons for late bedtimes included parents returning home late, as well as youngsters having to complete homework.
- Daily Mail