Short Wave Teen sleep is getting wrecked by more than just phones
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Mar 6, 2026 
Scott Detrow, NPR reporter known for clear science reporting, joins to talk teen sleep, seismic science, and ancient diets. He outlines a two-decade trend of worsening teen sleep. Then he digs into new Cascadia seafloor findings on fault stress. Finally, researchers’ recreated prehistoric stews reveal surprising ingredients and flavors.
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Teen Sleep Shortage Has Increased Nationwide
- Teens' sleep deprivation has worsened, rising from 69% to 77% getting under seven hours nightly.
- CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey of 120,000+ high schoolers across 2007–2023 shows insufficient sleep cut across races, genders, grades and behaviors.
Depression Correlates With Even Less Sleep
- Poor sleep affected teens both with and without behavioral issues, but those reporting depression or suicidal thoughts slept even less.
- The study links sleep deficits to mental-health markers, highlighting stronger deficits among depressed or suicidal teens.
Shift School Start Times To Improve Sleep
- Broader structural changes could help because poor sleep is widespread across demographics.
- Authors recommend interventions like later school start times, which are linked to longer sleep and improved mental health.