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10 Teenage Coffee Drinking Statistics to Know in 2024: Safety Facts & FAQ

Teenage Coffee Drinking Statistics to Know

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

It isn’t a secret that teens are drinking more coffee, and therefore, more caffeine than ever before. Thanks to the social acceptance of coffee, shops like Starbucks, and even the addition of coffee bars in high schools, it isn’t unusual for a teen to knock back one, if not more, cups of coffee per day. Here’s a look at a few teenage coffee-drinking statistics you should know in 2024, especially if you’re the parent of a teen who is a fan of coffee and coffee drinks.

Click below to jump ahead:

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Top 10 Teenage Coffee Drinking Statistics

  1. 83.2% of teens drink caffeinated beverages regularly.
  2. 11.4% of teens in a recent study claim to drink caffeinated beverages every day.
  3. In 2019, 33% of teenagers claimed to be daily coffee drinkers.
  4. In 2019, dairy consumption spiraled to an all-time low by dropping 40% since 1975 and prompting the dairy industry to push for coffee bars in high schools.
  5. Between 2014 and 2019, Midwest Dairy helped provide grants for 16 schools that allowed them to open coffee bars, thus increasing their milk sales by 40,000 incremental pounds.
  6. Schools with added coffee bars see a 4% rise in breakfast and lunch participation from teens.
  7. In 2017, the National Coffee Association reported that 33% of kids between the ages of 13 and 18 stated being by the computer was a reason to drink coffee at home.
  8. Caffeine and coffee consumption is 70% higher in teens who admit to falling asleep during class.
  9. In a 2021 survey conducted by Piper Sandler, 10% of teens polled chose Starbucks as their favorite restaurant.
  10. Only 1% of teenagers consume energy drinks due to the rise in popularity of coffee as their social drink of choice.
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Teens and Caffeine Usage

1. 83.2% of teens drink caffeinated beverages regularly.

(Medical News Today)

According to Medical News Today, teenagers represent the fastest-growing age group when it comes to the consumption of caffeine regularly. This includes primarily sodas and coffee.

woman in blazer holding her phone and coffee drink
Image Credit: Marcus Aurelius, Pexels

2. 11.4% of teens in a recent study claim to drink caffeinated beverages every day.

(National Library of Medicine)

In a study conducted by Brescia Community College and published by the National Library of Medicine, 11.4% of adolescents admitted to enjoying caffeinated beverages each day.


3. In 2019, 33% of teenagers claimed to be daily coffee drinkers.

(National Coffee Association)

In a 2019 report, the National Coffee Association found that of the teenagers surveyed, 33% are now claiming to be daily coffee drinkers.

a woman in brown robe holding a cup of coffee
Image Credit: Arina Krasnikova, Pexels

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The Dairy Industry Pushes for Coffee Bars in High Schools

4. In 2019, the consumption of dairy in the US spiraled to an all-time low by dropping 40% since 1975 and prompting the dairy industry to push for coffee bars in high schools.

(CBS News)

In a report made by CBS News, the dairy industry has lost over 40% of its daily consumption in the USA. To counter this issue, they are pushing for coffee bars to be added to high schools in hopes of promoting more dairy for use as creamers and sweeteners.


5. Between 2014 and 2019, Midwest Dairy helped provide grants for 16 schools that allowed them to open coffee bars, thus increasing their milk sales by 40,000 incremental pounds.

(Midwest Dairy)

The people at Midwest Dairy, in an attempt to counteract falling milk sales, partnered with 16 high schools and provided grants, which the schools were required to match, to put in coffee bars. These bars followed USDA guidelines and were used as a way to provide teens with their dairy needs in a more creative way.

coffee shop
Image Credit: Toa Heftiba, Unsplash

6. Schools with added coffee bars see a 4% rise in breakfast and lunch participation from teens.

(Dairy Max)

According to Dairy Max, schools that opted to include coffee bars for their teenage students saw a 4% increase in the use of their breakfast and lunch programs.

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Why Teens Prefer Coffee

7. In 2017, the National Coffee Association reported that 33% of kids between 13 and 18 stated being by the computer was a reason to drink coffee at home.

(National Coffee Association)

In a post by the National Coffee Association in 2017, it is mentioned that children aged 13 to 18 at the time felt being by their computer was a reason for drinking coffee at home—likely in order to finish schoolwork or perhaps for gaming purposes. With the restrictions to mobility in the past few years, it’s worth betting that kids these days would be open to visiting coffee shops instead of drinking coffee at home.

a teacup of latte on wooden table beside a laptop
Image Credit: Pixabay, Pexels

8. Caffeine and coffee consumption is 70% higher in teens who admit to falling asleep in class.

(Science Daily)

Science Daily reports teens who fall asleep during class or feel the need to multitask more are more likely to consume caffeine, including coffee, daily.


9. In a 2021 survey conducted by Piper Sandler, 10% of teens polled chose Starbucks as their favorite restaurant.

(The Motley Fool)

The annual survey conducted by Piper Sandler showed that teens still feel that Starbucks is at the top of the mountain when it comes to chain restaurants.

starbucks frappe and cup on table
Image Credit: Adrianna Calvo, Pexels

10. Only 1% of teenagers consume energy drinks due to the rise in popularity of coffee as their social drink of choice.

(Medical News Today)

In the past, energy drinks were considered the go-to source for teens who wanted a caffeine boost. Due to coffee shops and the ability to socialize over coffee, the percentage of teens drinking these sugary drinks is down to 1%.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the recommended daily amount of caffeine for a teenager?

The recommended daily amount of caffeine intake for adolescents aged 13 to 17 is 100 mg. (Kids Health)

Can a teenager become addicted to coffee or caffeine?

Yes. Caffeine is considered a drug. By consuming caffeine in their foods and drinks, teenagers can become addicted. When this happens and the caffeine is lessened or cut off, withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and drowsiness may occur. (Healthline)

Will coffee stunt a teenager’s growth?

No, coffee will not stunt someone’s growth. This is a myth. When it comes to a person’s growth your genes and balanced nutrition are what determine how tall you are. (Healthline)

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Conclusion

As you can see, teenagers are quickly becoming a leader of the pack when it comes to the consumption of coffee. With the growth this age group has made in recent years, it wouldn’t be surprising to see these statistics rise even more in the years to come. If you’re a parent of a teenager who is a fan of coffee or coffee-based drinks, it’s important to monitor their intake carefully. While teens feel like they know everything, it’s still crucial that the adults in the situation keep an eye on the amount of caffeine they’re consuming each day along with the sugary coffee drinks they are having with their friends at the local Starbucks.


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay, Pexels

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Melissa Gunter

Melissa has been a fan of coffee since the first sip she stole from her Granny's cup when she was just a girl. Now, she spends each morning writing with a hot cup of coffee at her side. With a love of sweet and creamy bliss, Melissa and her daughter, Amber, stop by and try out every local coffee shop they see. Neither are afraid to try something new and have a long list of favorite coffee beverages they simply can't do without. When she's not freelance writing about her 2 passions, coffee, and pets, Melissa spends her time with her husband, 2 kids, and 5 fur babies. She also loves diving into the fiction world under her pen name, Rena Marin. If she isn't at the laptop or with the family, Melissa is out enjoying the mountains of East Tennessee she calls home.

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