Wednesday 04/March/2026 – 08:41 AM
A study revealed an increase in deprivation rates sleep Among teenagers in recent years, it has been found that 77% of them do not get enough daily rest, which negatively affects their psychological and mental health. It is no longer limited to feeling stressed during the school day, but rather lack of sleep is linked to high rates of depression, anxiety, poor concentration, and mood swings, in addition to long-term health risks that may appear in later stages of life.
Noticeable increase in rates of sleep deprivation
According to a study published in the journal JAMA, data was analyzed over a period of 16 years, and showed a significant increase in rates of severe sleep deprivation. In 2007, about 69% of students did not get enough hours of sleep, while the percentage rose to approximately 77% by 2023, with a noticeable increase in the number of teenagers who sleep less than five hours a day.
The researchers pointed out that this increase did not occur suddenly, but rather represents a gradual trend that began nearly two decades ago. The results also showed that the decline in sleep quality is not limited to teenagers who spend long hours in front of phones or screens, but also includes those who use electronic devices for limited periods, which reinforces the idea that the problem is deeper than just using technology.
Early school dates
Data show that the crisis is the result of a combination of social and biological factors, including early school schedules, the pressure of schoolwork, and extracurricular activities, in addition to natural changes in the biological clock of adolescents, as the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for sleep, begins relatively late, often around 11 p.m., making early sleep difficult, despite the need to wake up in the morning for school. This conflict leads to a continuous cycle of chronic sleep deprivation and worsening psychological stress.
Although reducing the use of screens before bed may contribute to improving the quality of night rest, the study recommended broader measures, most notably delaying the start of school in the middle and secondary levels until after 8:30 a.m. The results concluded that addressing the adolescent sleep crisis requires reconsidering school schedules and prevailing lifestyle patterns, in line with the natural biological needs of this age group.
