It’s 6:45 a.m., and my son is perched on the stairs, slowly tying his shoes. It’s taking him an eternity, and my instinct as a parent is to rush him so he doesn’t miss the bus. Yet, I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. This level of tiredness is palpable, almost like I’m carrying a heavy weight, reminiscent of a cartoon character.
At least this time of year isn’t as harsh—the sun is beginning to rise. The birds have been chirping for some time. But during winter, sending an 11-year-old out into the frigid darkness feels particularly cruel.
Beyond my own observations and shared experiences with fellow parents, there is substantial evidence showing that sleep deprivation among tweens and teens is a genuine issue. Unfortunately, despite the scientific data, little has been done to address it.
The common suggestion to simply “get them to sleep earlier” is easier said than done. Even on uneventful nights when homework is finished, my son struggles to fall asleep after his shower and reading time. This isn’t a matter of willpower—it’s biology.
We’ve known for some time that as kids approach puberty, their circadian rhythms shift, causing them to feel alert later at night. This is not defiance or laziness; it’s a biological fact. According to the nonprofit organization Start School Later, preteens and teens don’t feel sleepy until much later, often not waking up until after 8 a.m. This stands in stark contrast to school schedules that expect them to be in class by 7:30 a.m. Any middle school teacher will confirm that students often don’t fully wake up until around 9 a.m.
The repercussions of sleep deprivation are serious. Anyone who has experienced it knows how debilitating it can be. I recall the first two years of my children’s lives when sleep was elusive, leaving me grumpy, irritable, and unproductive. If you’ve dealt with insomnia, you understand the struggle of feeling wired at the wrong moments while simultaneously being utterly exhausted.
Kids are no exception. Research shows that teens require about nine hours of sleep each night. Yet how many actually achieve this? It’s important to realize that sleep deprivation is a public health crisis for kids. It impacts academic performance, increases behavioral issues, heightens rates of depression and suicide, and raises the risk of accidents for new drivers.
Given the overwhelming evidence, why aren’t more school districts changing their start times? This is the million-dollar question. While we know that sleep deprivation poses real health risks, there’s often a reluctance to change. I have been advocating for later start times in my local school district, and I’ve encountered several obstacles. Many still view sleep as a luxury rather than a necessity. Some believe that those who sleep longer are simply “lazy.” Structural issues, like limited transportation resources, complicate matters further. Switching to a later schedule is rarely cost-neutral.
However, if we prioritize the health of our children, we must strive for better solutions. Adjusting school start times may actually save money in other areas, such as reducing the need for behavioral interventions. If one of the goals of education is to cultivate healthy, productive citizens, then this is a change worth pursuing.
Regrettably, these necessary changes may not benefit my son directly. It has taken our school board two years to even discuss adjusting start times. They hope to pilot changes in a few schools next year, but there are no guarantees my son’s school will be included. Still, I believe this is a crucial fight. Witnessing my son trudging off to school each morning emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue for all children. We can and must do better.
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In summary, sleep deprivation in tweens and teens is a pressing issue that demands attention. As parents and educators, we must advocate for changes that prioritize the health and well-being of our children, ensuring they receive the sleep they so critically need.