CALL TO LET TEENS START SCHOOL LATER

TEENAGERS stereotypically find it hard to get out of bed but today’s young adults are now so sleep-deprived, they are calling for a later start to the school day.

Research reveals that nearly six in 10 young people have problems getting a good night’s sleep, with screen time (66 per cent), education stress (63 per cent) and anxiety (49 per cent) the top three things keeping them awake.

Only 7 per cent said they felt “fresh and energised” on waking, with four in 10 complaining they felt “tired and lethargic”.

The survey of more than 1100 children in years 10, 11 and 12 found four in 10 wanted the school day to start after 9am, nearly a quarter would like to start at 10am and one in five wanting a 9.30am start.

Year13, a service offering careers advice, is behind the survey and said teenagers could need up to 10 hours sleep a night, but more than half were getting less than the recommended eight hours.

Year13 co-founder Will Stubley said flexible school start times could be a way to increase student wellbeing.

“School students are often in a permanent state of sleep deprivation and hence the big sleep-in on the weekend,” he said. “And of course, a good night’s sleep is vital to their mental health.

“Later start times are a discussion worth having and could be a practical way to boost student wellbeing.”