Use of digital social media at night, awareness of its effect on sleep, potential risks and factors driving the behaviour

Background Studies have reported the negative effect of nocturnal use of digital social media (DSM) platforms on sleep and its biomedical implications. However, there is a dearth of literature on awareness and the factors driving this behaviour. Therefore, this study examined the determinants of nocturnal use of DSM platforms among residents of Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted, using the multistage sampling technique, and questionnaires were randomly administered to 494 respondents in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. Data were obtained on awareness about the risks associated with nocturnal use of DSM, as well as beliefs and factors driving the behaviour. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression. Results Fifty-one percent of the respondents were unaware that using DSM at night affects sleep. The majority were also unaware of other potential health risks associated with this behaviour. The beliefs facilitating DSM use at night were form of leisure, more entertaining, and deeper conversation. Factors driving nocturnal use of DSM were networking, accessing information, education, and work or business. Conclusion There was a low-level awareness of the risks associated with DSM use at night. The beliefs that DSM use at night is a form of leisure, is entertaining, and gives room for deeper conversation, and activities such as networking, accessing information, education, and work or business are the drivers of DSM use at night. These findings suggest the need for public sensitization about how DSM should be used at night.