Teens Sleeping Less Since 2007 has become a growing concern, as a new national study shows U.S. adolescents are getting significantly less rest compared to the late 2000s. Researchers found rising rates of insufficient sleep between 2007 and 2023, sparking alarm among health experts about the long-term effects on youth well-being.
The study, published in JAMA, analyzed sleep patterns of more than 120,000 high school students across the United States and found that fewer teens are reaching recommended nightly sleep levels.
Researchers say the trend signals a growing public health concern that could affect both physical and mental health outcomes among adolescents.
Researchers Track Rising Sleep Loss Among Teens
Teens Sleeping Less Since 2007 is highlighted in the analysis, which examined responses from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationwide study conducted every two years among U.S. high school students.
Participants self-reported how many hours of sleep they typically get on a school night. Researchers defined seven hours or less as insufficient sleep and five hours or less as very short sleep.
Results show insufficient sleep among teens rose from 68.9 percent in 2007 to 76.8 percent in 2023. During the same period, the share of students sleeping five hours or less increased from 15.8 percent to 23 percent.
“The steady increase in sleep deprivation suggests that many adolescents are not getting the rest needed for healthy development,” the researchers wrote in the study.
The data also show little change in the number of students reporting six to seven hours of sleep, indicating that the largest shift occurred among those sleeping extremely short hours.
Experts say the findings point to a widespread trend rather than an isolated behavior among specific groups of teens.
Sleep Loss Linked To Physical And Mental Health Risks
Health specialists warn that chronic sleep deprivation can affect nearly every system in the body.
Sleep plays a key role in tissue repair, immune function and cognitive performance. Without enough rest, adolescents may face increased risks of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.
Researchers also found sleep deprivation was more common among students reporting mental health struggles, including depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.
“Sleep is fundamental for adolescent brain development and emotional regulation,” the study authors said. “When teens consistently lose sleep, the consequences can extend far beyond fatigue.”
Teens Sleeping Less Since 2007 is underscored by the study, which highlights how insufficient rest may affect academic engagement, mood stability, and long‑term health outcomes.
Public health experts increasingly describe the issue as a national concern because adolescence is a critical stage for both physical and psychological development.
Study Finds Differences Across Demographics
Researchers also examined sleep trends across demographic groups, including grade level, sex and race.
While insufficient sleep increased across most groups, the rise was significantly greater among non-Hispanic Black students compared with non-Hispanic white students.
Teens Sleeping Less Since 2007 is evident in the researchers’ findings, as even those without behavioral risk factors—such as substance use or bullying involvement—experienced sleep declines similar to or greater than their peers with such risks.
That finding suggests the sleep crisis extends beyond high-risk groups and may be tied to broader lifestyle changes affecting adolescents nationwide.
Potential solutions may include later school start times, which previous research has linked to longer sleep duration and improved student well-being.
However, the authors caution that their findings rely on self-reported sleep data and do not account for factors such as extracurricular schedules, family stress or academic workload.
Still, they say the results offer an important foundation for future research and policy discussions.
“Understanding how teen sleep patterns are changing is essential for shaping school policies and public health strategies,” the researchers wrote.
Experts say expanding awareness and encouraging healthier sleep habits could help reverse the trend.
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