Why Teens Should Start School at 9 a.m.—or Later

We’re all used to hearing the saying, "Timing is everything." It typically is understood within the context of the structure of events in the world. Whether it’s when to launch a product or meeting someone who becomes very important in our life, we all agree that “when” something happens often dictates the outcome.

However, when we dig deeper, the meaning of “timing is everything” becomes even more crucial, particularly concerning health-related issues. For example, our body’s rhythm in metabolizing food shows that eating late in the evening can contribute to weight gain because our metabolism slows down, thus burning fewer calories. This is a critical piece of information, as there is no sensory experience to alert our conscious mind to this process. It’s invisible.¹

Sometimes events can become invisible by virtue of their omnipresence. There is one everyday sequence that is slowly destroying the health of 15.3 million high school students currently enrolled across the country.

Our focus of attention begins with the interface between clock time and biological time, with the clock taking center stage for the moment. The most critical time for the health of the country is 8:00 a.m., when millions of students are forced to start their day.

Given the structure of adolescent life, the first question is not whether these kids will be sleep-deprived, but how much. Research supports that adolescents, due to a surge in brain development, need additional sleep. Hence, these kids are in serious trouble.²

How much sleep is necessary? While there is some disagreement as to the minimum amount, the average is about nine hours, with many needing 10. This means that in the best-case scenario, a child goes to sleep at 8:30 p.m. and wakes up at 7:00 a.m. This scenario is unlikely due to the addictive nature of digital devices to hypnotically hijack consciousness and because they are teenagers. Conservatively, 11:00 p.m. is probably the earliest they get to bed, but more likely, it’s later.

In this scenario, these kids are lucky to get seven hours, let alone the 9 to 10 they need. Over a week, this results in a loss of 10 to 12 hours. As for catching up on the weekends to compensate for the shortage, research shows that it never happens. So, five days a week for 10 months a year results in a significant amount of lost sleep.³

Lifestyle Intelligence

What are the consequences of this massive sleep deprivation? To understand the impact, we need to look through the lens of ecology. The three most important things we do are sleep, eat, and move. Let’s call this lifestyle intelligence (LQ). Our overall health, both physical and psychological, depends on how well we manage this ecosystem, with sleep being the lynchpin. Think how important sleep must be if it occupies 30 percent of our lives while, simultaneously, leaving us completely vulnerable.

Let’s dissect the consequences of this insidious process. Using a map comprised of the three layers of intelligence—IQ, EQ, and LQ—we can better understand the impact.

Consequences of Massive Sleep Deprivation

First, cognitive activity is seriously compromised. Abstract thinking, information retrieval, and creativity function at a much lower level due to sleep deprivation.

Second, our ability to handle our emotions and relationships is similarly affected. We become more anxious and angrier, leading to interpersonal difficulties.

Third, our appetite increases. Sleep deprivation forces the brain to work overtime, necessitating more energy, which makes us feel hungrier. Coupled with a slower metabolism in the evening, weight gain becomes inevitable—not due to poor food choices but because the brain overrides the mind’s ability to make good decisions.⁴

A recent study showed that individuals with serious weight problems frequently have the hunger switch in their brain continually in the "on" position. It’s quite possible that the reason for this is chronic sleep deprivation.⁵

The ability to choose is compromised under these conditions. putting high schoolers at risk for degenerative diseases earlier in life, along with the other noted problems. At the very least, a start time of 9:00 a.m. would solve half of the problem, but addressing the addictive aspects of social media is more challenging. This is a catastrophe hiding in plain sight. It’s time to address it.

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