Sleep deprivation is an epidemic that is facing American teenagers. With almost 70 percent of high school students getting less than the recommended amount of sleep, a potential way to combat this issue is later school start times.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teenagers get 8.5 to 9.25 hours of sleep and that the start times for schools be 8:30 or later. According to Diana Paksarian, studies have shown that students who attend schools with later start times have better sleep patterns than those who do not.
This is because a teenager’s body is wired to go to bed later and sleep in later. Teenagers are often busy with a variety of activities, along with homework, meaning they often can not go to bed at an appropriate time. The inability for teenagers to do this causes the majority of them to be sleep deprived.
While most schools in North Dakota and Alaska have switched to later start times, the average start time for American schools is 8:03 a.m., 27 minutes earlier than the recommended start time.
Many schools cite issues with busing, complications with childcare for parents and lack of time for after school activities as reasons for not pushing their start times back. With most high schools starting earlier in the morning than primary and elementary schools, pushing the high school start time back should bring minimal issues.
Teens need an adequate amount of sleep each night to help maintain their mental and physical health and performance in school. Many major mental health issues such as, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders, are connected with a lack of sleep, showing just how valuable getting enough sleep is. With the mental health of teenagers at risk, schools should consider starting later for the betterment of their students.
-Kensleigh Griego