Staying up late to do homework, staying out late with friends and stress are just a few reasons teenagers are sleep-deprived. 

Technology is often blamed for the epidemic of sleep deprivation in teenagers. Excessive screen time is definitely a reason for sleepless nights but is not the only reason.

Social media itself does little to affect your sleep, but it is the phone technology that can disturb your sleep. Screens give off a blue light which can hold back melatonin production. 

Melatonin is a hormone that your brain produces to keep your sleep schedule consistent.

School is also an enormous reason students get less than adequate sleep.

Not only do we have to keep up with schoolwork, but students with extracurricular activities have less time to complete homework during after-school hours and often work well into the night. 

Maintaining a social life outside of school can be difficult. Many students either miss out on activities with friends due to schoolwork or have to stay up late afterward doing homework. 

Schoolwork and minimal interactions can cause students to be stressed. Studies show stress can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. 

Forty-five percent of students are stressed, which means at least 45% of students are sleep-deprived.

Stress can affect performance in the classroom which can cause stress about satisfactory grades, leading to an endless cycle of sleepless nights. 

Some ways students can combat sleep deprivation include trying to get to bed around the same time every night which can help regulate your production of melatonin, having a routine and, while it can be difficult, refraining from taking naps during the day. 

Taking long or frequent naps can make your sleep at night fragmented and lower the quality of your sleep. 

If you need to take a nap it is recommended to take a nap no longer than 30 minutes.