Home / Health / Record Rise in Children's Sleeping Pill Use Revealed
Record Rise in Children's Sleeping Pill Use Revealed
22 Mar
Summary
- Over one million sleeping pill prescriptions were issued to children in England in 2024.
- The number of individuals receiving these medications exceeded 250,000 for the first time.
- Medical guidance advises short-term use only for specific conditions like night terrors.
In 2024, England saw over one million sleeping pill prescriptions dispensed to individuals under 18, marking an alarming surge in childhood insomnia. The number of young people receiving these medications surpassed 250,000 for the first time, with 12-year-olds being the most common recipients. Doctors are issuing approximately 20,000 prescriptions weekly to children.
Official medical guidance suggests that hypnotics, including sedating antihistamines and melatonin, should only be used by under-18s for short-term relief of conditions such as night terrors or sleepwalking. However, recent data indicates a growing trend of young people experiencing such sleep disturbances.
Experts attribute this rise to increased anxiety, mental health pressures, and extensive screen use among adolescents. Dr. Susie Davies highlights the probable role of night-time screen use in disrupting young people's sleep patterns. Vicki Beevers of The Sleep Charity stresses the need for investment in early intervention and behavioral sleep support, rather than routine medication.
