I was watching a story on Four Corners (an Australian respectable current affairs programme - 1 story, 45 minutes and the show has been running for 40 years), about sleep deprivation and how technology is impacting on it.
The part that interested me was a psychologist who declared that allowing a television, phone or computer in a child's bedroom was sabotage. It seems teenagers have to have their phones with them all night - "in case a friend needs them at 4am."
The lack of sleep was causing poor attendance at school, poor grades and in the end - health problems, diabetes and obesity mainly.
SO I am curious:
what electronic equipment do you have in your bedroom?
what time do you normally go to bed, or how many hours of sleep do you get a night?
can you live without your mobile phone?
My daughters are 12 & 14. They have no mobile phones (and aren't getting them either). There are no televisions in any rooms other than the living room. The computer is in the kitchen and there are no laptops.
Regular bedtime is consistent and always has been. At this age, they are in bed by 9pm on a school night. Friday and Saturday, they choose their own bedtime.
Now, I asume that some of you will see this and gasp- that's harsh. Keep this in mind - the 14 year old tends to wander off to bed by 8.30pm by her own volition most nights. The weekend nights she tends to go by 10pm. The younger goes normally about 11pm.
All of the sleep specialists and psychologists recommended exactly what we have always been doing. Some friends have foreecast doom and gloom through rebellion for being restrictive about the things mentioned. So far so good and it is funny to see their lives running out of control. We are content.
So now, how about you guys - give me age if you choose to, it gives perspective.