​If you are the parent of a teenager – or if you just remember your own adolescent years – you know how hard it can be to get a teen out of bed and ready for school in the morning. Many people view these difficult mornings as a sort of moral failing and fall back on the “lazy teenager” stereotype. However, the reality is that adolescent sleep timing is the result of biological changes, not personal choices. In 2014, The American Academy of Pediatrics officially recommended that all middle and high schools should start at 8:30 am or later. This recommendation is based on the negative effects of early waking on teenagers’ sleep, academic performance, and mental and physical health. However, this recommendation is still not being followed, with most schools in the US starting at 8 am. To address this major public health issue, we need to communicate the science of sleep and circadian rhythms.  

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