Helping teenagers get enough sleep on school nights

This piece for Ridents collects the advice that holds up in practice.

Teenagers need around eight to ten hours of sleep a night, yet many get far less. Part of the reason is biological: during adolescence the body clock naturally shifts later, so falling asleep early becomes harder. Early school starts, homework, social media and late-night gaming then squeeze the hours that remain, leaving many young people tired in class.

Teenagers need around eight to ten hours of sleep a night, yet many get far less.

Families can help without constant arguments. Agree on a time when phones and tablets are charged outside the bedroom, keep weekend wake-up times within an hour or two of school days and encourage daylight and exercise in the morning. Talk about why sleep matters for mood, sports and exam results, and model the same habits rather than only setting rules.