Teen Sleep Is Declining. The Cause May Be Bigger Than Screens
- The White Hatter
- 18 minutes ago
- 4 min read
“Oh Gentle Sleep! Natures Soft Nurse”
Shakespeare 1597
Back in 1597, Shakespeare understood the restorative power of sleep. Today, we know that sleep is:
Energy for the brain: aids in learning, increases alertness and helps memory
It’s a biological necessity: allows us to perform effectively and safely
a developmental necessity: for brain growth and maturation
a vital to our emotional, psychological, physical, and social wellbeing
Many parents today are understandably worried about how technology might be affecting their children’s sleep. Phones, gaming, and social media often become the first suspects when teens appear tired, irritable, or unable to get out of bed in the morning. While those concerns are understandable, new research suggests the story may be more complicated than simply blaming screens. in fact a recent 2025 study found that one hour increase of screen time after going to bed had a reduction in sleet duration of 24 minutes (1).
Today, a 2026 study published in the journal Journal of the American Medical Association examined sleep patterns among more than 120,000 high school students in the United States between 2007 and 2023 was brought to our attention (2). The researchers looked at data from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which tracks a wide range of health behaviours among adolescents (3). Their findings were clear, insufficient sleep among teens has been rising.
The study defined insufficient sleep as seven hours or fewer on school nights. Over the sixteen-year period analyzed, the percentage of high school students reporting insufficient sleep increased from 68.9 percent in 2007 to 76.8 percent in 2023.
That means roughly three out of every four teens are not getting enough sleep during the school week.
When parents hear statistics like this, it is natural to assume that technology must be the primary culprit. Smartphones, social media, and online entertainment often become the focus of concern. However, the researchers found something important that complicates that narrative.
Sleep loss increased across every demographic and behavioural group they examined. This included students with higher levels of electronic media use, but it also included students who did not report those behaviours. In other words, teens who were not heavily engaged with technology still experienced similar increases in insufficient sleep.
This pattern suggests that the issue may not be driven by a “single” factor such as screen use. Instead, the findings point toward broader environmental and structural pressures affecting adolescents as a whole.
Researchers and sleep experts have long noted that adolescence comes with a natural shift in circadian rhythms. Teen brains tend to become biologically wired to fall asleep later at night and wake up later in the morning (4).
Unfortunately, the structure of school schedules rarely reflects this reality. Many high schools still begin classes early in the morning, often requiring students to wake up well before their natural sleep cycles would support optimal rest. When teens stay up later due to homework, extracurricular activities, or social commitments, early start times can quickly turn into chronic sleep deprivation.
Beyond school schedules, other structural pressures may also play a role, including:
Increasing academic expectations and homework loads
Extracurricular commitments such as sports and activities
Part-time jobs for older students
Social pressures and busy evening schedules
Taken together, combined with tech use, these demands can create a situation where many teens simply do not have enough time available to get the sleep their developing brains need.
None of this means technology has no impact on sleep. Late-night scrolling, gaming, or messaging can certainly delay bedtime for some teens. However, this research suggests that technology alone does not explain the broader trend of declining sleep among adolescents.
For parents and caregivers, this distinction matters. Focusing only on phones or social media may overlook the larger pressures shaping teen schedules and routines.
Rather than viewing sleep problems solely as a discipline issue or a technology issue, it may be more helpful to look at the overall structure of a teen’s day. Parents can support healthier sleep habits by:
Encouraging consistent sleep and wake times
Creating device-free wind-down routines before bed
Limiting late-night notifications or screen interruptions
Paying attention to overloaded schedules
• Advocating for healthier school start times when possible
Sleep is essential for adolescent brain development, emotional regulation, learning, and physical health. Helping teens protect that sleep often requires looking at the whole environment surrounding them, not just one piece of technology in their hands.
The new research highlights an important reality. Teen sleep deprivation is increasing, but it appears to be affecting adolescents broadly, not just those heavily engaged with screens.
The challenge parents face is not simply managing devices, it’s helping young people navigate a complex environment filled with academic demands, social pressures, biological changes, and yes, digital distractions as well.
When we understand the bigger picture, we can move beyond simple explanations and start focusing on solutions that truly support the well-being of our kids.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
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