Teenagers need more sleep than adults, experts say

Experts report that teenagers typically require about 8–10 hours of sleep per night and are biologically inclined to fall asleep later, a pattern that supports growth, learning and emotional regulation.

Teenagers generally need more sleep than adults, and many tend to fall asleep later. This shift is linked to biological changes during puberty that move the body clock later. Experts cited in the article say teens typically need about 8–10 hours of sleep per night, while most adults need about 7–9 hours. Sleep is described as important for memory, physical growth, appetite regulation and emotional stability during adolescence. Key points: - Teenagers commonly need around 8–10 hours of sleep a night, compared with about 7–9 hours for most adults. - Puberty shifts the body clock so teens feel alert later at night and tend to wake later in the morning. - Adequate sleep supports memory consolidation, growth-hormone activity, and brain maturation processes such as synaptic pruning. - Short sleep in adolescents is reported as linked to changes in appetite hormones, higher risk of weight gain, and associations with anxiety, depression and impaired judgment. - The article notes factors that influence sleep timing and quality, including evening screen use, late caffeine intake, bedtime routines and the bedroom environment. Summary: Insufficient sleep in teenagers is reported as affecting concentration, physical development, appetite regulation and emotional well-being. Undetermined at this time.