A typical teenager goes to bed late and can't get out of bed in the morning. But while many adults regard them as layabouts or lazy, the reality is most teens need more sleep not less. Experts say adolescents require between 9 and 10 hours sleep a night - but only a small fraction get this much. The latest science shows teenagers have a biological basis for their sleep patterns; their brains are wired to stay up late, sleep in and sleep more. Add to this a modern 24/7 lifestyle, which bombards them with things that keep them hyper alert and wired, and Australia is now creating a nation of sleep-deprived adolescents. Rather than sleeping too much, teens are some of the most sleep-deprived members of the population, vulnerable to devastating consequences on their physical and mental health.