Britons spend an hour looking at screens before sleeping

68% used smartphones in bed, 32% watched television in 19% use tablet computers, 14% listened to music and 8% played on games consoles.

Those aged 18-24 were most likely to use technology in bed, racking up an average of 71 minutes of screen time.

56% have a morning alarm set on their phone, while 22% use some form of technology or app to monitor their sleep.

“It is interesting to see just how many Brits will postpone sleep to play on their devices in bed. Gadgets are great and can be really fun but using them right before sleep can be a little disruptive to sleep quality,” said LaptopsDirect marketing manager Mark Kelly.

Light, particularly blue light, can cause sleep disruption because it stimulates photo receptors, including non-imaging photo-ganglion cells, in the eye. Colour LCD and LED screens are plentiful sources of blue light. ‘Cool white’ LEDs are another strong source of high-blue-content light.

Survey details have been requested.