Technology spoils sleep: experts

Thursday marks the World Sleep Day. A first ever report into Chinese people's sleeping quality shows nearly 70 percent of people in China use cellphones and computers before they go to bed, with many staying up until midnight. Now experts say they are ruining people's sleep.

Technology makes our life convenient, but it also keeps many people up late.

Feng Yang, a travel company employee, said, "I feel stressed at work, and the nerves are tightened up even at night. So I can't sleep. Also I'm too busy to talk to friends during the day. So I chat with them at night, and get to know what they're doing on Weibo."

According to the China Sleep Quality Index report, 67 percent Chinese people use their cell phones and computers before going to bed. 14 percent of people don't go to bed until midnight. Nearly half of them chat or play games online.

At 10 pm in Xidan, Beiing's famous shopping street, almost every one I interviewed admits to being one of them.

We almost do the same things: playing with cellphone, computer. Most of time I use my cellphone in bed.

Does this cause poor sleep and make them feel tired the next day? Most say yes, and it's a habit.

"Many people say we should go to sleep earlier to stay healthy, either on TV or on the internet. I've tried to force myself to go to bed at nine or ten, but I still couldn't fall asleep until midnight," said Feng Yang.

The report says more than 70 percent of people in China have problems getting a good sleep. It may be caused by bad mood, disease and stress. But experts say a bad sleeping habit is the main reason.

Chinese say that if a person doesn't spare enough time for resting, he might have to spare time for the hospital.