A recent survey from the Royal Children’s Hospital highlights that adolescents have a biological inclination to sleep longer due to their unique circadian rhythms. However, nearly half of Australian children experience disrupted sleep caused by poor routines. Dr Anthea Rhodes notes that hormonal changes during this stage contribute to a delayed melatonin release, leaving teenagers more alert in the evenings.
The survey revealed that 16% of teens consume caffeine after midday, which significantly obstructs their ability to fall asleep. Furthermore, 47% of parents are under the misconception that screen time helps children relax before bed. It’s well-established that teenagers require eight to ten hours of quality sleep each night, yet attempts to compensate for sleep deprivation on weekends show minimal benefit.
In response, some European nations are testing later school start times to better align with adolescents’ natural sleep patterns. Medical professionals emphasise that establishing a consistent bedtime, ensuring a dark and quiet sleeping environment, avoiding screens before sleep, and keeping mobile devices out of bedrooms can greatly enhance sleep quality for teenagers.