Late-night screen use linked to school absences, says IUM researcher
According to Dr Shafiya, the research was initially undertaken to examine factors contributing to student absenteeism.
A study conducted by the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) has found that many Grade 9 and Grade 10 students in schools across the Maldives are not going to sleep until the early hours of the morning.
The findings were shared by Dr Aminath Shafiya, Assistant Professor at IUM and Dean of the university's Centre for Research and Publications, during the annual prize-giving ceremony of the Dhaalu Atoll Education Centre.
According to Dr Shafiya, the research was initially undertaken to examine factors contributing to student absenteeism.
The study focused on Grade 9 and Grade 10 students in schools located in the Greater Malé region as well as in Kaafu, Alif Alif and Haa Dhaalu atolls.
Speaking at the event, Dr Shafiya said many students reported going to sleep at times such as 1:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m. and even 4:00 a.m.
“We are not talking about adults. We are talking about children your age,” she said.
Dr Shafiya emphasised that the research was not designed to examine sleep habits but rather to understand the reasons behind declining attendance and increasing absenteeism among students.
“This wasn't a study designed to investigate sleep issues; it was a study conducted to understand why student school attendance is declining and why children are frequently marked absent,” she said.
According to Dr Shafiya, responsibility for the issue does not rest solely with students.
She noted that widespread access to smartphones and online content can make it difficult for young people to manage their time, leading them to remain online late into the night.
She encouraged students to develop routines that support time management and regular sleep schedules.
Dr Shafiya said insufficient sleep can affect students' ability to participate in school, contributing to fatigue during lessons, absenteeism and difficulties in classroom engagement.
She also noted that students who sleep late may experience headaches, stomach discomfort and low mood in the morning, making it harder for them to attend school.
The researcher said the volume of content available through social media platforms presents a challenge for young people and highlighted the need for greater awareness of healthy digital habits.
