Sleep deprivation among adolescents has increased over the past decade, according to new research published in JAMA. The study examined sleep patterns among high school students and found that a growing number of teenagers are getting far less sleep than health experts recommend.1
Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 are advised to sleep for 8–10 hours each night to support physical growth, brain development, and emotional regulation. However, survey data show that a large proportion of teenagers report sleeping well below this range on school nights.
The findings highlight a persistent public health concern affecting millions of young people.
Researchers analyzed data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationwide survey conducted in the United States to monitor health behaviors among high school students. The study assessed sleep duration trends from 2007 to 2023.1
The analysis showed a steady rise in sleep deprivation during this period. In 2007, about 69% of teenagers reported insufficient sleep, while by 2023 the proportion had increased to nearly 77%.1
The research also identified an increase in very short sleep duration, defined as five hours or less per night. A substantial number of adolescents reported sleeping this little on school nights, indicating a growing gap between recommended and actual sleep duration.1
These trends highlight the need for population-level interventions among teens. For example, later school start times can help with longer sleep, which may lead to better mental health outcomes and greater academic engagement.
T. Greg Rhee, Psychiatric Epidemiologist, UConn School of Medicine
Late-night smartphone use is frequently blamed for poor sleep among teenagers. However, researchers note that the decline in sleep cannot be explained by screen time alone.1
Biological changes during puberty play an important role. Adolescents experience a shift in their circadian rhythm, which causes the body to release the sleep hormone melatonin later in the evening. This change naturally pushes teenagers to fall asleep later than children or adults.
At the same time, early school start times require many students to wake up early in the morning. This mismatch between biological sleep patterns and school schedules reduces total sleep duration.
Other contributing factors may include academic pressure, extracurricular activities, and social commitments that extend into late evening hours.1
Sleep is essential during adolescence because the brain and body are still developing. Research has linked insufficient sleep with several health and behavioral outcomes.
Teenagers who consistently sleep too little may experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, difficulties with emotional regulation, and reduced attention and concentration.
Short sleep duration has also been associated with increased risk of obesity, metabolic problems, and poorer academic performance. Lack of sleep can affect memory, learning ability, and decision-making, all of which are important during school years.1
The study indicates that sleep deprivation among teenagers has increased steadily since the late 2000s. With a large proportion of adolescents sleeping far less than recommended, the issue continues to attract attention from researchers and public health experts.
Understanding the causes of sleep loss and implementing strategies to address them may play an important role in protecting adolescent health and well-being.
1. Jean M. Twenge, et al. “Trends in Sleep Duration Among U.S. Adolescents, 2007–2023.” JAMA (2026). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2845759
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