Late nights staying up to surf the Internet, watch television or finish homework are leading to children having reduced ability to concentrate in school.

The American Psychological Association published a study last week which showed there is a growing trend to let children stay up ever later.

One of the authors of the report, Dr Avi Sadeh of Tel Aviv University, says children who stay up late still have to get up early for school. The result is that the ability to concentrate, absorb information and pay attention in class is suffering.