New study finds screens, homework and caffeine are preventing teenagers from getting enough sleep

Caffeine, screens and no routine are some of the biggest reasons why teens aren’t getting enough sleep each night, increasing the likelihood they suffer symptoms of depression and anxiety. Get tips on regulating your child’s sleeping routine.

Researchers say too much screens and lack routine are at the root of teens not getting enough sleep. Matilda White, 15, and Hannah McLeod, 15. Picture: Sarah Matray

Screens, homework, caffeine and varied bedtimes are stopping one in two teens from getting the sleep they need, a new study shows.

Analysis of 3000 young people by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has found nearly two-thirds of these teenagers have symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Growing Up In Australia Longitudinal Study of Australian Children study shows a quarter of kids as young as 12 don’t get enough sleep on school nights, but experts say catching up on weekends is not the answer.

Researchers say too much screens and lack routine are the issue. Hannah McLeod and Matilda White. Picture: Sarah Matray

The findings show Australian children aged five to 13 get less than the recommended 9 to 11 hours of sleep, and those aged 14 to 17 get less than 8 to 10 hours.

Australian Institute of Family Studies director Anne Hollonds said the study found links between shorter sleep times and higher rates of anxiety and depression.

“The group most at risk of not getting enough sleep on school nights is older adolescents who may need to be taught how to improve their sleep by reducing caffeine intake, limiting internet use before bedtime, keeping a consistent sleep routine and getting plenty of physical activity,” she said.

“Younger age children, especially boys, are also at risk of not getting enough sleep on non-school nights, highlighting the importance of parents setting regular bedtimes, even on weekends and holidays for younger children.”

Institute Research Fellow, Dr Tracy Evans-Whipp said regular bedtimes were helping younger children aged six to 11 get enough sleep. However, teenagers tended to stay up too late during the week and make up for it on weekends.

Matilda White, 15 (pink top) and Hannah McLeod, 15. Picture: Sarah Matray

“This ‘yoyo’ pattern across the week increases with age. It also leads to disrupted sleep wake cycles and goes against the sleep guidelines which advise regular sleep and wake up times,” she said.

The study found around those who did more homework, got less exercise and spent more time on the internet tended to have less sleep.

MORE NEWS

Mont Albert North teen Matilda Wise, 15, said she didn’t always get enough sleep during the school week. “I don’t get tired until quite late and then I am not good at waking up early,” she said. “One weekends I tend to stay up late and then sleep in”.

The MLC student said she didn’t drink caffeine, but if she was on her phone past eight pm, it was harder to wake up the next day.