With 638.9K views and counting, Dr Ross Newman, aka Dr. Rossome, has been ruffling feathers across social media. The topic? Early bedtimes… “very, very early bedtimes.” (1) More specifically, in his now-viral TikTok video, Newman says he puts his kids to bed around 7:30 p.m. — even the teens.
In his video, Newman goes on to say that his family opts for earlier bedtimes because they recognize the importance of sleep, and a large majority of kids in the United States are not getting enough. Newman adds that if we “look at current sleep guidelines endorsed by sleep specialists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. We see that especially our late elementary and middle schoolers who are starting to go to sleep at 8 or 9 o’clock — there’s no way they’re going to get that 9, 10, 11, or even 12 hours of sleep that many of these children need.” (1)
Unsurprisingly, parents online have some pretty strong opinions about 7:30 bedtimes. By far, the biggest objection among parents is the real-life timelines of extracurriculars. Another notable issue for parents is the 7:30 bedtime for teens — to which one parent commented, “He obviously didn’t get the memo on teenage circadian rhythms,” and another questioned “whether he’s actually met teens.” (2)
Read on to learn whether or not a 7:30 bedtime makes sense for all kids, and how you can make sure that your kiddos are getting the quality sleep they deserve.
Is A 7:30 Bedtime Right For Most Kids?
As to whether or not Newsome’s SOP (and advice) has any merit, Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright, psychotherapists and authors of Generation Sleepless, say they “agree with Dr. Rossome that too many kids are sleep deprived and late bedtimes are a culprit.” However, the doctors caution that while 7:30 pm is a great bedtime for a toddler or young elementary schooler, it isn’t a realistic or natural bedtime for a teen. Most teens would lie awake staring at the ceiling (or likely their phone) for hours if they climbed into bed at 7:30 pm.” (3)
Dr. Christopher Allen, a Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician, Pediatric Neurologist, and Sleep Science Advisor for Aeroflow Sleep, tells Sleepopolis, “The controversy highlights the real challenges families face in today’s fast-paced world. Evening activities and parental work schedules often conflict with early bedtimes, making it difficult to align with AASM guidelines.”
Allen adds, “While Dr. Rossome’s emphasis on prioritizing sleep is valid, a rigid 7:30 bedtime may not be the best or most practical solution for every family.” (4)
How Can Parents Ensure Their Kids Get Enough Sleep?
Every family is different, so there are no hard and fast rules for bedtimes. At the end of the day (no pun intended), parents need only make sure that their kids are getting the sleep they need.
To help children meet their sleep needs, Allen suggests “Prioritizing a consistent routine and sleep schedule, even on weekends and encouraging good sleep hygiene — such as minimizing screen time before bed, ensuring a calm and dark bedroom environment, and avoiding caffeine or heavy meals late in the day.” (5)
Turgeon and Wright suggest “Having really clear family agreements on technology, including when to put screens away for the night, establishing a regular winddown time/bedtime routine, and setting a bedtime for the whole family.”
Additionally, the doctors recommend that parents:
- Model healthy sleep hygiene by putting their phones and computers away at least an hour before bed.
- Manage the amount of activities their kids participate in
- Encourage their kids to finish their homework early, leaving time for something fun and relaxing before bedtime.
- Ensure their kids get natural light within an hour of waking; this makes it easier for teens to fall asleep at an earlier and more reasonable time in the evening. (6, 7)
A Complete Guide to Kids’ Mental Health and Sleep
13 Sleep Tips for Kids From Parents Who Have Been There
A Comprehensive Guide To Babies And Sleep
1 in 4 Parents Say Their Kids Have Bedtime Anxiety — Here’s What An Expert Suggests
Sources
- Make your day. TikTok. (n.d.-b). https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_rossome/video/7431303005217082667
- Scary mommy on Instagram: “in dr. Rossome’s (@dr_rossome) viral TikTok…” Instagram. (n.d.). https://www.instagram.com/scarymommy/p/DB33W9APuHy/?hl=en
- Turgeon, Heather, Wright, Julie. Author Interview. November 24, 2024.
- Allen, Christopher. Author Interview. November 25, 2024.
- Iao, S. I., Jansen, E., Shedden, K., O’Brien, L. M., Chervin, R. D., Knutson, K. L., & Dunietz, G. L. (2021). Associations between bedtime eating or drinking, sleep duration and wake after sleep onset: findings from the American time use survey. The British journal of nutrition, 127(12), 1–10. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114521003597
- Blume, C., Garbazza, C., & Spitschan, M. (2019). Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood. Somnologie : Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin = Somnology : sleep research and sleep medicine, 23(3), 147–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-019-00215-x
- Choi, J. H., Lee, B., Lee, J. Y., Kim, C. H., Park, B., Kim, D. Y., Kim, H. J., & Park, D. Y. (2020). Relationship between Sleep Duration, Sun Exposure, and Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Status: A Cross-sectional Study. Scientific reports, 10(1), 4168. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61061-8
