About half of adults have used apps to monitor their sleep, and while feedback is generally positive, adults with insomnia report
that these apps can increase sleep-related anxiety. These findings come from a
survey study published in
Frontiers in Psychology.
Why It’s Relevant
The use of sleep apps has grown considerably with the increasing popularity of smartwatches, yet research on the clinical utility and potential unintended consequences of these tools remains limited. While health tracking apps may be considered relatively safe, some studies have found they
pose some risks.
By the Numbers
- Among 1,002 adults in Norway (51% male) who completed an online questionnaire on sleep habits, 46% reported using sleep apps; app use was more prevalent in women and adults under 50.
- Respondents were more likely to offer positive (e.g. the app helped me prioritize sleep) rather than negative (e.g. the app made me stressed about my sleep) reviews about their apps. But only 15% of respondents believed the app improved their sleep quality; about 2% believed the app worsened sleep.
- Adults under 50 were more likely to report both positive and negative effects about their apps, while adults with lower education levels were more likely to report negative effects.
- Adults with insomnia were not more likely to use sleep apps than those without. However, adults with insomnia who used apps were more likely to report being worried about their sleep or that something was wrong with their sleep.
The Other Side
All the data was based on self-reports from respondents. In addition, the survey only asked about lifetime use of apps—more detailed data like whether someone was currently using an app or whether they used a sleep app every night was not available.
Takeaway Message
The researchers said these current findings are consistent with prior research showing that sleep apps may be more likely to provide misleading reassurance about sleep habits rather than actually improving sleep. By highlighting clinically insignificant variations in sleep data, these apps may also create unnecessary stress among individuals with existing sleep issues.
Related Information
Source
Håkon Lundekvam Berge, et al. Sleep in the age of technology: the use of sleep apps and perceived impact on sleep and sleep habits. Frontiers in Psychology. Published March 20, 2026. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1726473
(Image: Getty Images/iStock/tkpond)