Hong Kong children tend to sleep late, charity survey finds

Experts say heavy school workloads and electronic devices are prompting tardy bedtimes, and this can affect physical and mental development

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Going to bed late can disrupt the physical and mental development of children, researchers say.

Published: 7:45pm, 1 Apr 2017Updated: 11:25pm, 1 Apr 2017

A survey released by a charity found Hong Kong children were sleeping late, which could disrupt their physical and mental development. Experts blamed heavy academic workloads and electronic devices for tardy bedtimes.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association asked 1,449 children aged six to 17 about their sleeping habits. The survey found most children below 11 slept between 10 and 10.59pm.

Association executive director Lilian Law Suk-kwan sounded a warning about the trend: “When kids are three to five, the brain is at its fastest-growing phase. Without enough rest, their development can be retarded.”

“It can affect their concentration as well as their emotional development. In severe cases it can hinder their intelligence and interaction with people.”

Paediatrician Dr Ng Yin-ming, who is association chairman, recommended that children below 11 should go to bed before 10pm regardless of when the child has to wake up the next day.

“It takes two to three hours to go into deep sleep. Growth hormones [in children] take time to peak – [starting] from 10pm with the peak at 2am – so the peak time is important,” he said.