By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 13: For many teenagers in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, the glow of a smartphone screen has become their nighttime companion, often at the cost of their health. A recent study by Mizoram University researchers Ibanlumlin Diengdoh and C Devendiran, has highlighted an alarming connection between internet addiction and poor sleep quality among adolescents in the region. The findings, published in The International Journal of Indian Psychology, reveal the profound impact of excessive screen time on the lives of young students.
The study surveyed 312 students from classes 8, 9, and 10 across four schools in East Khasi Hills. It found that 36.9% of these adolescents struggle with poor sleep quality, while 20.2% are classified as internet addicts. Adolescence, a time crucial for brain development and emotional growth—requires adequate sleep for healthy functioning. Yet, more than half of the students admitted that their internet use directly disrupted their sleep.
The survey uncovered some startling trends in how these students spend their time online. Over 60% reported spending more than three hours daily on the internet. The most common activities included watching videos (62.5%), academic research (45.2%), browsing sports-related content (39.4%), and reading news (29.8%). While these activities might seem harmless, their toll on sleep patterns has led to widespread sleep disturbances, delayed sleep onset, and excessive daytime fatigue among the students.
The financial implications of this digital dependency are notable as well. Around 40% of the students spend over Rs 300 per month on internet recharges, a significant amount for many families in the region. The adolescents, averaging 14.8 years in age, primarily come from tribal communities (94.3%) and predominantly identify as Christians (87.8%), the study said.
Suggestions in the study include educating students on the importance of healthy sleep patterns, promoting mindful internet usage, and encouraging outdoor and offline activities.
Equipping adolescents with tools to manage stress and anxiety is also crucial in helping them maintain a balance between the online and offline worlds, the study noted.