The quality of sleep among teenagers in the United States has critically deteriorated. According to a new report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which is based on data from nearly 121,000 high school students, sleep deprivation has become a widespread phenomenon.
According to the study, which covers the period from 2007 to 2023, the situation has worsened significantly:
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Insufficient sleep (less than 8 hours per night): By 2023, approximately three-quarters (75%) of American teenagers were experiencing sleep deprivation, an 8% increase compared to 2007.
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Very short sleep (5 hours or less): The number of students in this category increased from 15.8% to 23.0%.
Scientists note that the rise in sleep deprivation is a large-scale process and is independent of a teenager’s age, gender, race, or ethnicity; however, several noteworthy details emerged from the data. Specifically, the increase in sleep deprivation was more pronounced among Black students compared to their White counterparts. Furthermore, the study unexpectedly found that sleep deprivation is not directly linked to social media usage. In fact, teenagers who spend less time in front of screens showed a sharper increase in sleep deprivation than those who use gadgets actively.
To address this “sleep deprivation epidemic” in the country, experts highlight several important steps. First and foremost, shifting school start times is recommended, as studies confirm that starting the day later significantly improves sleep duration and academic performance in students.
Additionally, maintaining good sleep hygiene is crucial, which includes keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, as well as limiting the use of gadgets before bedtime. Furthermore, exposure to natural outdoor light early in the morning helps regulate the brain’s “circadian rhythm,” which significantly makes it easier to fall asleep at night and helps normalize sleep patterns.
