A new study shows the prevalence of smartphones, tablets and laptops are causing a problem among children with sleep patterns and quality.

The devices emit what scientists call “blue light” that works against the sleep process by hampering the body’s ability to produce melatonin, the chemical that causes the body to feel tired and enhances sleepiness.

The National Sleep Foundation has released a study showing that youth who use smartphones or computer devices before bedtime have a lower quality of sleep and sleep less than peers without the heavy use of electronic devices.

“To ensure a better night’s sleep for their children, parents may want to limit their [children’s use of] technology in the bedroom near or during bedtime,” Orfeu Buxton, PhD, of Harvard Medical School told The Fiscal Times.

The study also showed that the sleep patterns of parents have a direct impact on their children.  If the parents are using electronic devices in the evening before bedtime, the children will follow their parent’s patterns.