Teen Sleep Deprivation: Causes Beyond School Start Times

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School Start Time
At least 1/3 of all Americans have symptoms of Insomnia (1); and thus figures includes a great number of teenagers. According to the author of “Stop starting school days so Early” the cause of sleep deprivation in teens is starting school at 8 or earlier. Ann Horton the author states it is harder for teens to fall asleep before 11 due to puberty (4). Research from a class standpoint shows that isn’t necessarily true. The lack of sleep isn’t from puberty. Sleep cycles could be attributing to the sleep deprivation in American. Teens are beginning to prioritize activities, social media, and electronics over sleep. The point to be seen is starting school earlier won’t change how many hours teens choose to sleep.
Preventing sleep deprivation would possibly be a benefit to starting school days later. Sleep deprivation should be addressed more to the general youth. Sleep deprivation can become chronic and cause several horrible side effects; including heart attacks, cardiac arrest, stroke, obesity, and depression(1). Lack of sleep for a few days is also dangerous; it can increase a person’s risk of an automobile injury as your alertness becomes impaired (1). Many researchers agree that sleep deprivation can act like alcohol in your system making your neurological state impaired (1). If starting school later prevented sleep deprivation among teens then it would save many lives. Getting the proper amount of sleep of night; usually agreed to be 9 to 9 and half hours; can increase your learning abilities, reduce obesity, manage stress, and make better decisions such as avoiding drug substances(1). If teens could get the proper amount of sleep then they could have a better outlook on life, improve academic performance, an...

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...ecome so addicted to their phones that they need to text throughout their night which makes them loose sleep (3). The cause for sleep deprivation isn’t the start time of school but rather the electronic devices for most teens.
The cause of sleep deprivation isn’t from the early start time of school; the problem lies in electronics and teens organizing their lives. Instead of changing school times teens need to be taught when their phone, TV, and Computer should be shut off. Sleep deprivation and is extremely danger but sadly changing the school start time won’t prevent this; changing the start time will only cause more problems. If anything teens need to learn how to prioritize their life’s with the freedom they have received. Finally teens need to be informed about the dangers of sleep deprivation and that the text message conversation can wait until the morning.

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