How much sleep do teenagers need?

So how much sleep do teenagers need, and how do sleeping patterns work? About eight to ten hours sleep is about right for most teenagers.

The amount of sleep we want and need is influenced by an internal biological ‘clock’ known as a ‘circadian rhythm’.

During adolescence the circadian rhythm changes quite dramatically.

• Most teenagers have a shift in the time at which they feel sleepy. Their natural rhythm is to go to sleep late and wake up late. Most teenagers are owls rather than larks.
• However, this does not match well with the usual school timetable.
• As a result, during school and working weeks most teenagers do not get enough sleep.