As kids reach adolescence, they begin breaking away from their parents. They want to decide when they should do homework, if they should get an after-school job, and what time they should go to bed.

However, an article on the website of KMOT-TV (Minot, ND) indicates that parents of teens shouldn't give up on ensuring that their children get enough sleep:

A new study finds moms and dads shouldnt completely give up the parenting basics when it comes to bedtime. The study, conducted by a Columbia University Medical Center doctor, finds a link between lack of sleep among teens and depression.

Researchers found adolescents who reported sleeping five or fewer hours a night were 71 percent more likely to suffer from depression, and 50 percent more likely to think about committing suicide than teens getting eight hours of rest.

Lana Curl, a sleep center director, suggests that parents keep computers and televisions out of their kids rooms. She also suggests taking away cell phones if kids are texting late into the night.

Labels: research, teens, depression, sleep

Posted By: Aspen/CRC