Education · Reading practice · B1
Should school start later for teenagers?
Teenagers are often called lazy for sleeping late. But science says their bodies may be working on a different clock.
By Levoop · 3-minute read · 263 words · Tap the underlined words to see what they mean
It is 7 a.m. The rings, and fifteen-year-old Marta pulls the covers over her head. Last night she wasn’t able to fall asleep until after midnight, although she went to bed at ten. Her parents think she uses her phone too much. Marta says she just isn’t tired at night. Who is right?
Probably both of them. Scientists have discovered that during the teenage years our body clock . The body starts producing melatonin, the that makes us feel sleepy, about two hours later than in children or adults. This means that many teenagers simply cannot fall asleep early, even if they want to.
At the same time, teenagers need a lot of sleep – between eight and ten hours a night, according to sleep experts. If they go to sleep after midnight and get up at seven, they do not get enough. Over time, this can affect their , their health and their in class.
Because of this, some doctors have that secondary schools should start later. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested that classes for teenagers should not begin before 8.30 a.m. Some schools that have changed their say that students are less tired and arrive late less often.
Not everyone agrees, though. A later start can mean a later finish, which is difficult for parents who work, for school buses and for after-school activities.
In the meantime, experts have some : put your phone away an hour before bed – the light from the screen can make it even harder to fall asleep.
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