BEDTIMES
Many adolescents do not get enough sleep. It is generally believed that teens need an average of a little more than nine hours of sleep each night. J.E. Gangwisch reported in the journal, Sleep, that earlier bedtimes may protect teens against depression. According to this study, if parents set bedtime at midnight or later, adolescents were 24% more likely to suffer from depression and 20% more likely to have suicidal ideation than their counterparts, whose parents set bedtime at 10 PM or earlier. It is interesting to note, that in this study 70% of teens reported that they complied with the bedtimes set by their parents. Of course, bedtimes may have to be adjusted for family routines or school schedules, but in general, for teens though age 15, bedtime should be no later than 9 PM, and after age 16, bedtime should be no later than 10 PM. If waking time is 6:30 AM to get to school by 8 AM, then bedtime should be 9:30 PM. Having consistent bedtimes and avoiding excessive sleep on weekends will make it easier for teens to get to sleep earlier on school nights. It is important to point out that children of all ages should not have televisions or computers in their bedrooms.
Makes a lot of sense! I think parents in today’s age don’t want to fight kids to go to bed earlier so they give in. Also they have tv’s in their rooms so can watch late into the night without parental supervision.