Research shows that kids and teens need even more than 8 hours of sleep a night. I really need to find that research. I recently read that you shouldn't even be on the computer or watch television a few hours before bed (here I am).

You may not like my suggestions but I would say no computer or television after a certain time - probably 7:00 pm. They should be in bed by 9:00 pm to get the very minimum amount of required sleep.

Sometimes people who don't get enough sleep may seem even more active than most people due to their lack of sleep. I can get really technical as to why that is but I won't. This is one of the reasons why some kids who are dx as ADHD or are noted as having attention problems actually may have undx sleep disorders instead or they may just lack sleep.

I haven't heard about teens internal alarm clocks setting to later but that maybe true. I remember being a teen and being able to sleep until noon and not being tired until late at night. The difference was I still got my required hours of sleep. Your boys get up so early and don't go to bed until really late. The naps that they get is not enough for them to reach their need sleep levels.

How old are your sons?
Do they drive? If they drive and are getting that little of sleep, PLEASE do something about it. Other people are put in danger. Even if they get good grades and seem really together, they are not practicing good sleep-hygiene and it WILL catch up to them eventually.

It is just the way their day is set up. When you are on a certain schedule you just get used to it. During my junior year I was in bed by 10:00-10:30 every night, and up by 6. Now, precisely one year later, I am awake until about 2:00-4:00, and wake up at 6:30. I don't remember feeling any more or less tired a year ago, so I just keep up with the schedule. It is probably extremely unhealthy, but hey, I make it through the day.

I think sleep habbits depend on age and lifestyle together, no matter what is going on schedule wise i was and still am up til 2-4am no matter how i spend my day or when i wake up, i like to sleep in and stay up late though.

Im 18 I can relate i go to bed at 5 AM and wake up at 2 PM because i Party, 17-18 is probably where the highest rate of insomniacs are with the due to our lifestyle. I am quitting all the drugs and alcohol though, so maybe i can get some good sleep soon

Circadian rhythm is also about connecting to the natural rhythm of the seasons and the sun's daily route across the sky. I'm of the opinion that teens are really disconnected from this rhythm in that they are over stimulated and used to a modern life. Get them out into nature, working when it's light out ... I think that they would fall asleep when it's dark out. Or maybe make bonfires to stay awake (it could be a person's character or preference to stay up late, too). But there's an experiment for you!

Thats a really good idea, I mean hell im up and its 5 30 AM now, i've been needing to get in the rhythm of going to bed at the appropriate time like around 10 pm. Also i need to get up earlier i get up around like 11 and that isn't good at all, i'm gonna shoot for 9 now thanks for the Circadian rhythm thing.

There's also a vitamin supplement Vitamin B12 (VB12) that might help normalize circadian rhythms. And people that travel take melatonin. Maybe look into those?

for sure ill look into thanks for the advice guys not sleeping for a whole day can be very unhealthy and can throw your whole day and the day after off.