Final answer:
Teenagers typically require about 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night to function optimally. This accounts for the developmental needs of youths and aligns with recommendations that consider teenagers' sleep patterns and the negative impacts of accumulating sleep debt.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teenagers should get approximately 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night, although recommendations often suggest 7 to 9 hours as well. For example, younger individuals tend to need more sleep, with infants requiring the most. As we age, the amount of sleep needed decreases. A study with a sample of 16 teenagers found an average of 8.9 hours of sleep, aligning with these recommendations.
Stress and lifestyle changes, like those often experienced by college students, can affect sleep patterns, making it difficult to achieve the necessary rest. Moreover, accumulating a sleep debt can have detrimental effects on performance and alertness. It's important to prioritize sleep to ensure that teenagers can function optimally and support their physical and mental development.