Why Teens Struggle to Focus - And How You Can Help Them Regain It

Focus is a skill - not a given.

Why do teens lose focus? Discover science-backed reasons and practical tips to help your child concentrate better - and how Preppp can support their learning.

When Focus Becomes a Daily Battle

Picture this: it’s 7 p.m., and your teen sits at the kitchen table, books open, laptop ready. Five minutes later, their phone buzzes. They glance at it, scroll for a minute… then sigh, close the laptop, and walk away. Sound familiar?

You might be thinking: “Is my child just distracted, or is something else going on?” The answer is complex - and it’s not laziness. Teens today face unprecedented cognitive demands and distractions.

“I sit down to do my homework, but my mind just wanders…” A Grade 10 student recently confessed this to me during one of the pre demo sessions of Preppp. Her experience isn’t unique. Across North America, educators and parents are reporting a rise in distracted learning among teens.

Even for high achievers, there are distractions, that are not doing any good to them. There are multiple reasons which are directly or indirectly impacting our kids:

Reason 1:Social media creates constant comparison with high achieving peers. Perfect GPAs flood their feeds 24/7.

Reason 2: The race is getting harder. There is 40% more competition as college admission intensity has increased in the last decade.

Reason 3: Our Sky -high expectations is another reason that kids are distracted. We as parents unknowingly burden them with constant comparisons without us realizing. "Your cousin got into Harvard. It's your turn to show what you can do."

And then, there are reasons that apply to all the kids irrespective of the fact that they are slow or fast learners. According to the American Psychological Association (2023), teens’ brains are still developing executive function skills, making sustained attention naturally harder. Teens today face unique challenges and the Canadian Mental Health Association notes that following are the major contributors of the lack of attention in adolescents:

• Digital overload: frequent notifications, multitasking between apps, and constant screen exposure.

• Sleep deficits: many adolescents don’t get enough high-quality sleep.

• Stress, emotional load, and comparison culture that pull mental energy away.

• Lack of clear structure or routines, leaving them unsure of how to begin or sustain effort.

Understanding why focus is hard is the first step toward helping your teen build lasting concentration habits.

Let's look at what research says about these issues - and what parents can do to help.

What Research Tells Us:

1. Screen Time & Digital Distractions

• A systematic review in Educational Technology Research & Development found that uncontrolled screen usage and task-switching make sustained attention difficult (link.springer.com).

• A University of Amsterdam study reported that social app usage increases task distraction in youths and worsens sleep, which then further impairs focus (uva.nl).

• A large U.S. study showed that ≥4 hours of daily screen time is linked with higher risks of attention problems, anxiety, and irregular bedtime (arxiv.org).

2. Sleep & Cognitive Function

• Over 3,000 adolescents studied by Cambridge & Fudan Universities showed that even small differences in sleep quality correlate with large differences in reading, vocabulary, and problem-solving skills (theguardian.com).

• Better sleep particularly benefits teens with ADHD, improving executive function such as attention and planning (sciencedaily.com).

3. Study Session Structure & Break Techniques

• Maastricht University found that structured break systems (Pomodoro) help productivity but must be used flexibly to avoid fatigue (mdpi.com).

Evidence-Backed Strategies to Help Your Teen Focus:

Strategy	Research Insight	Practical Tips for Parents
Set a consistent sleep schedule	Earlier bedtime & longer sleep improves brain function.	Fix a bedtime & wake-time. Limit screen use 1 hour before bed. Create a calm wind-down routine.
Limit distraction triggers	Notifications and multitasking reduce sustained attention.	Put phone in another room during study, use “focus mode” or “do not disturb”, limit background noise.
Use structured study blocks	Pomodoro/Flowtime improve productivity and reduce burnout when used flexibly.	Try 25-45 min study, short break. Let your teen choose what works best. Use timer apps.
Set Time Boundaries	Prioritise tasks and set time boundaries.	Focus on what truely matters and work towards priority planning and time management
Set small, clear goals	Clear goals improve motivation and reduce procrastination.	Break projects into smaller tasks: “review chapter outline” vs “study whole subject”. Mark off accomplishments.
Encourage movement & healthy snacks	Exercise and nutrition support attention regulation and overall brain health.	Daily movement (walk, sport), balanced meals, hydration. Avoid heavy sugar close to study time.
Support emotional well-being	Anxiety reduces focus; mindfulness and stress reduction help.	Practice breathing exercises; Observe mindfulness together; model calmness; allow safe conversations; avoid last-minute cramming.

When Extra Help Makes the Difference:

Sometimes, even with the best at-home strategies, a student needs external structure. This doesn’t mean solving more problems - it means personalized guidance that adapts to their learning style.

Parents across Ontario and the broader North American region have found that a supportive mentor -- especially in challenging subjects like Math or Science or Physics or Chemistry -- can relieve anxiety and free up mental energy for focus.

That’s where Preppp comes in: Preppp’s 1:1 live sessions with tutors and Prepster (Preppp's AI assistant) let the student set the pace. Instead of overwhelming teens, we scaffold concepts, reduce cognitive overload, and help them rebuild confidence.

If your teen needs more than home strategies, a supportive learning environment can make a huge difference.

Discover How Preppp Supports Focus

Helping a teen focus isn’t about forcing them to work harder - it’s about creating the right conditions.

Final Thoughts

Difficulty focusing is normal - especially in today’s world of screens, distractions, and varied schedules. What matters is small, consistent changes rather than drastic overhauls. Over time, better sleep, fewer distractions, well-structured work, and emotional support build habits of focus and confidence.

When you’re ready for an extra partner in that journey, Preppp is here to help your teen feel calmer, more capable, and ready to perform their best.