Did you know that one in five 12–17-year-olds average over 8 hours of screen time a day? That means that in a 14-hour day, 57% of their waking hours involve looking at a screen!
This madness is contributing to a very significant problem all teenagers face - sleep deprivation.
It is killing us. We are becoming walking zombies rather than happy, growing lads. However, we can end this treacherous technological tyranny by putting down our screens before bed.
Stop and think for a second. How much sleep did you get last night? If you got less than 8 hours of sleep my friend, you are a sleep-deprived teenager.
The major cause of sleep deprivation is something we all know and love – mobile phones.
Blue light emitted from devices inhibits the production of melatonin in the body, the hormone responsible for the feeling of drowsiness. This lack of tiredness and resultant loss of sleep time, exacerbates your already fragile teenage emotions, which I know you are all very familiar with. If you don’t believe me, look at the stats.
A study conducted by Growing up in Australia found that 35% of 12-18 years- olds are not getting a minimum 8 hours of sleep on any given night (Australian teens not getting enough sleep, n.d.) Furthermore, the same study discovered that 28% of this 35% were teens who had their phones with them in their bedroom.
I know that you all find it relaxing to be sitting on your phone, scrolling through social media or snapping your girlfriends at night. But at the end of the day, what would you prefer, feeling relaxed for 30 minutes and waking up the next day in a horrid mood? Or using this time to be getting some shuteye and feel refreshed and happy the next day?
It is a serious problem which we are refusing to acknowledge. Little rectangles of blue light are ruining our sleep which is ruining our mood which is ruining our lives.
Unlocking Sweet Dreams
Although things look grim, there is a rose amongst the thorns. The solution is simple: limit the use of screens around bedtime.
Devices suffocate the body’s ability to produce sleep-inducing melatonin.
A study by National Library of Medicine in 2021 found that teenagers who put down their devices 1 hour before bedtime achieved an extra 21 minutes of sleep compared to those who didn’t (National Library of Medicine, 2021). Across the full school week this adds up to 1hr 45 minutes of additional sleep which is money lying on the ground.
It’s that simple.
Although screens are an undeniably bright light in our lives, they are also sleep depriving demons. The experts have spoken – put your phone away before bed!
What needs to be done?
Sleep deprivation in teenagers could be non-existent if we all make an effort to ditch our devices before bed. Most of us are going to school in a feral mood with less than 8 hours of sleep under our belts. Don’t try to deny it. Lack of sleep is killing us. The question is, are you going to continue living life like a zombie or are you going to put your phone down an hour before bed and resolve the catastrophe on our hands – teenage sleep deprivation?
- By Hugh Mansfield, Year 9 TGS student
List of References
- Australian teens not getting enough sleep. Australian Government (2019). Retrieved June 01, 2023 from https://aifs.gov.au/media/australian-teens-not-getting-enough-sleep
- Department of Health, & Services, H. (2021). Teenagers and sleep. Retrieved June 01, 2023 from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/teenagers-and-sleep#causes-of-teenage-sleep-deprivation
- Among teens, sleep deprivation an epidemic. Stanford Medicine (2014). Retrieved June 01, 2023 from https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2015/10/among-teens-sleep-deprivation-an-epidemic.html
Latest Blog
The Best Job in the World
Vocational Education and Training (V.E.T) plays a central role in preparing young people for work, developing skills, and responding to the labour-market needs of the economy. As the V.E.T Co-Ordinator at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have an immediate and positive influence on our young men’s skills, employability, and career development. I engage with the most amazing young men to guide their career journeys throughout Years 10, 11 and 12. I also have the privilege to work closely with their…
Inclusive and Exclusive Banter and Behaviour
As the School counsellor, who has been working in a variety of education systems, I would like to address a common and important issue that affects many of our teenage boys: banter, teasing, and bullying. Boys at this age are especially prone to these behaviours, and they can have a significant impact on their mental health and overall well-being. One of the most common mistakes for teenage boys "it's just banter" or "I'm just joking." While banter can be a positive thing and can help build…
I Have Returned to Where it Began and I Feel Right at Home
I have returned to where it all began, and I feel right at home. My parents decided when I was very young that I would attend Toowoomba Grammar School as a boarder. Coming from a property surrounded by a small community, my parents believed that sending me to TGS would provide me with many fundamental skills needed for a young man, as well as an education that I could not get in my hometown.. Starting my journey at TGS in Year 8 as a boarder in Mackintosh, adjusting from a small country high…
Tuning in to TGS Old Boy (1995-99) - Stuart St Vincent Welch
Our Old Boys have such diverse career paths; we are so proud of the good young men they become and how they make meaningful contributions to their communities. Stuart St Vincent Welch describes himself as an average student who had no idea what he wanted to do after school. But drawing on the TGS values of hard work, respect and resilience he is now working as a Sound Engineer for Barking Owl in New York City, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most renowned musicians and actors. He…
The TGS Show Cattle Team - On the moooove
The TGS Show Cattle Team commenced in Term 1 2021 under the guidance of Mr Jack Murphy and Mrs Julie Brophy. The concept of the team was to give boys a hands-on, extracurricular opportunity in the agricultural industry. The boys have been competing in the Young Judges’ competitions at a range of shows across Queensland. The Young Judges’ competition is based on the goal of expanding the boys' knowledge of the skills that are a foundation of the animal production industry, helping them as…
The Importance of Routines
Routines are an important part of our daily lives, providing structure and stability. This is especially true for children in their formative years, who benefit from having consistent and predictable routines in both their school and home environments. At Toowoomba Grammar School Junior School, we believe that routines are essential for helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. One of the key ways in which routines help students is by providing a sense of security and…
Ten Steps Ahead - Jackie Gallagher
As a high school athlete, Jackie Gallagher had the world at her feet. She was in a unique position where she was excellent at any distance from 100m to 800m. She broke Queensland and National records and was regularly selected for State and National teams. Jackie was selected for the Australian Youth team to compete at the World Youth Championships in Canada as an U18 along with the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics, before making the U20 Australian team to compete at…
The Makings of a Premiership
The 2022 1st V Basketball squad will be forever etched in the pages of Toowoomba Grammar School history as the first TGS team to win a GPS Basketball Premiership since the competition commenced in 1984. Head of Basketball, and 1st V Coach, Mr Kabe Cicolini has been instrumental in the growth and success of not just our leading team, but of the TGS Basketball Program as a whole. Kabe has come from a background of playing GPS sport – cricket, rugby and basketball as a student at Ipswich Grammar…
Creating a Learning Environment that Boys Enjoy
Creating an environment for students to access and engage in learning is the educational philosophy of the new Toowoomba Grammar School Head of Junior School, Mr Ken Raven. “This requires a supportive an inclusive learning environment across the school where everyone feels they can make a positive contribution,” Mr Raven stated. “I encourage evidence-informed, explicit teaching of curriculum that sparks curiosity and interest for students to engage and explore.” Parental interaction and…
