Most teens should get between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per night. Unfortunately, research indicates that many teens get far less sleep than they need. However, according to a recent survey of Cortland County teens, 57% report not getting the recommended amount of sleep during the school week. 

Research and local data suggests that many teens do not get the recommended amount of sleep, which can have serious consequences for their physical and mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.

Asking teenage children about their sleep is a crucial first step for parents and caregivers who want to help them get better rest.

• The recommended number of hours of sleep for a teenager is 8-10 hours of sleep per night. 

  • Only 43% of students are getting 8-10 hours of sleep or more per night.

  • A majority of students (57%), do not get the recommended hours of sleep.

  • Trans students are half as likely to report getting the recommended sleep hours per night (21%). 

  • Female students were more likely than male students to report not getting the recommended sleep hours. 

  • LGBQ students were less likely to report getting the recommended sleep hours than students who identified as straight.

  • BIPOC students were more likely to report not sleeping the recommended hours in comparison to White students.

• Students who do not get the recommended number of sleep hours were more likely to report using substances within the past 30 days. (Alcohol, Cannabis, Vaping, and binge drinking).

  • Students who didn’t get the recommended hours of sleep were more than 3 times as likely to have used alcohol in the past 30 days. 

  • 11% of students who didn’t get enough sleep reported binge drinking, while only 3.2% of students who got enough sleep reported binge drinking.

  • Less than 5% of students who got the recommended hours of sleep reported using cannabis, while 13% of students without the recommended sleep reported cannabis use.

• When students did not get the recommended hours of sleep they were more likely to report lifetime use of alcohol, cannabis, and cigarettes.

  • Students who did not get the recommended sleep hours were twice as likely to use alcohol within their lifetime.

  • In comparison to students who got the recommended sleep (8%), students who did not get the recommended hours of sleep were more likely to report using cannabis in their lifetime (21%)

• Students who did not get the recommended hours of sleep were about three times as likely to report suicidal ideation as well as attempts. 

• Students who did not get the recommended hours of sleep were also more likely to view cannabis as not risky (20%) than students who got the recommended hours(16%). 

• 35% of students who did not get the recommended hours of sleep reported missing school days, while only 28% of the students who did get the recommended hours  missed school days.

• 63% of students overall have reported struggling to stay awake during the past 2 weeks.

  • 44% of students reported struggling to stay awake in class, and 13% struggled to stay awake while taking a test.

  • About 33% of students reported struggling to stay awake during homework activities (i.e. working, studying, reading, using the computer). 

• 41% of students who feel they didn’t get enough sleep reported feeling depressive symptoms. More than one out of three sleep deprived students report feeling depressive symptoms.

  • Only 19% of well rested students reported feeling depressive symptoms.