A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh suggests that paying teenagers to sleep longer may lead to improvements in their academic performance. The study involved more than 1,100 students, averaging 19 years old, with 468 participants offered financial incentives to achieve at least seven hours of sleep on weeknights.

Participants in the incentive group received $4.75 (approximately £3.55) each morning after they met the seven-hour sleep target, as verified through Fitbit wrist devices. Over the four-week study period, those receiving the payments increased their average nightly sleep duration by 19 minutes compared to a control group who did not receive rewards. The likelihood of meeting at least seven hours of sleep rose by more than 25 percent within the paid group.

Researchers noted that the additional sleep primarily resulted from participants going to bed earlier rather than waking up later. Alongside increased sleep, the students in the financial incentive group showed modest grade improvements. On the U.S. four-point GPA scale, the average score rose by about 0.08 points among the paid sleepers. The effect was more pronounced among younger students and those enrolled in science or mathematics courses; first-term college students saw an average GPA increase of roughly 0.17 points, which could elevate an A-minus grade to nearly a straight A.

The study’s lead author, economist Osea Giuntella, highlighted that this is the first research demonstrating that targeted interventions to increase sleep can positively influence academic outcomes. This finding aligns with existing health guidance, such as that from the National Health Service (NHS), which recommends that teenagers aim for between eight to ten hours of sleep each night.

The importance of adequate sleep for students has been underscored by surveys revealing widespread sleep deprivation among young people. A large 2023 survey of children in England found that about one-third of 11 to 15-year-olds reported insufficient sleep, leading to difficulties concentrating in school.

While the payment system offers a novel approach to encouraging healthy sleep habits, challenges persist. Many teenagers struggle with sleep due to factors such as exposure to blue light from electronic devices late into the night, a phenomenon observed internationally. Some experts suggest that parental strategies focusing on earlier bedtimes may yield benefits consistent with the study’s results.

Overall, this research contributes to a growing body of evidence indicating that improving sleep among adolescents can have tangible benefits for academic performance, with financial incentives flagged as one potential tool to encourage behavioral change.