In the 1970s, there has been a growing awareness of the sleep patterns in adolescence. In a study at a summer sleep camp at Stanford during the 1970s, 10 to 12 year old girls and boys were monitored every year for 5 to 6 years. Results showed adolescents were more alert at 8 pm than earlier in the day, and show even greater alertness at 10 pm. This is because melatonin secretion occurs at a later time in adolescents, according to an experiment conducted by Dr. Mary A. Carskadon of Brown University (“Later School”). Since the early 1900s, more focus and research have gone into the sleep patterns of adolescents. Although scientists have concluded a variety of dangerous side effects to receiving a lack of sleep, the issue continues to remain present
…show more content…
One factor that contribute to sleep deprivation in high school students is the starting time of schools. When entering high school, most students find themselves waking up an hour earlier than they use to and their natural rhythm is disrupted (“Among Teens”). In a laboratory study of forty high-school students in 1998, Wolfson and her colleagues examined the effect of changing school starting times from 8:25 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. Almost half of the students who began school at 7:20 fell directly into REM sleep by 8:30 in an average of only 3.4 minutes, a pattern similar to patients with narcolepsy (“Sleep Deprivation”). Technology and social media also play a role in preventing teenagers from getting enough sleep. 72 percent report to using their cellphones while trying to sleep and 28 percent leave it on, only to be awakened by texts or emails (“Among Teens”). The light illuminating the screens of their electronics further delay the release of melatonin. It is clear teenagers going through puberty is biologically wired to fall asleep during later hours and also needing a larger amount of it but outside factors, such as the starting time of schools and electronics, are preventing them further from getting those necessary
One factor that contribute to sleep deprivation in high school students is the starting time of schools. When entering high school, most students find themselves waking up an hour earlier than they use to and their natural rhythm is disrupted (“Among Teens”). In a laboratory study of forty high-school students in 1998, Wolfson and her colleagues examined the effect of changing school starting times from 8:25 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. Almost half of the students who began school at 7:20 fell directly into REM sleep by 8:30 in an average of only 3.4 minutes, a pattern similar to patients with narcolepsy (“Sleep Deprivation”). Technology and social media also play a role in preventing teenagers from getting enough sleep. 72 percent report to using their cellphones while trying to sleep and 28 percent leave it on, only to be awakened by texts or emails (“Among Teens”). The light illuminating the screens of their electronics further delay the release of melatonin. It is clear teenagers going through puberty is biologically wired to fall asleep during later hours and also needing a larger amount of it but outside factors, such as the starting time of schools and electronics, are preventing them further from getting those necessary