OSU Study Highlights Importance Of Sleep For Teenagers

Oklahoma State University is reminding parents about the negative outcomes surrounding teenagers who don't get adequate sleep.

OSU Extension helps Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership, and manage resources wisely. Their latest article focuses on how a lack of sleep takes a toll on teens.

Emily Abel, an assistant professor in OSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Science, said the National Sleep Foundation recommends 8-10 hours of sleep for teens.

Abel says there are many factors causing teens not to get enough sleep, including phone and social media usage, early school start times, homework, sports, and part-time jobs.

"Sometimes parents will go to bed and they don't really know what's happening at night, but I think obviously like looking for signs of decreased mental health, teacher-parent communication is important to understand kids who might be experiencing increased daytime sleepiness, or alertness," Abel said. "But really focusing on that mental health piece because that can take a toll if kids aren't getting enough sleep."

Abel says a lack of sleep in teens can result in lower academic performance, health issues, and safety risks. Some schools in Oklahoma are also pushing to delay start times. 

She said she believes it's because research shows that when schools begin later, teens get more sleep, miss school less often, and do better in their studies.