A new study has found that American teenagers are experiencing widespread sleep deprivation, with nearly a quarter sleeping five hours or less per night and the majority failing to get the recommended eight hours of sleep.

The research challenges common assumptions about the role of technology in teen sleep problems. While screens and devices are often blamed for keeping young people awake, the study suggests these are not the primary factors contributing to insufficient sleep among adolescents.

The findings highlight what researchers describe as a pervasive problem affecting the health and well-being of young people. Sleep deprivation in teenagers has been linked to various negative outcomes including decreased academic performance, increased risk of depression, and compromised immune function.

The study did not identify the main causes of sleep loss among teens, though experts have previously pointed to factors such as early school start times, academic pressure, part-time jobs, and social activities as potential contributors to inadequate rest.

The research adds to growing concern among health professionals about sleep patterns among adolescents, a demographic that typically requires between eight and ten hours of sleep per night for optimal physical and mental development.