A new research has shown that technology and caffeine are keeping teens awake. Although some experts suggest that teens need more than 8 to 9 hours of sleep, only 1 in 5 teens get the recommended 8 hours of sleep. And, many teens routinely get just 3 to 5 hours of sleep per night.

Sleep deprived teens reported falling asleep in school at least twice each day and falling asleep at the wheel while driving. The study, published in the June issue of Pediatrics, found that teens multitasked into the night with the assistance of caffeine thereby affecting their sleeping habits.

As the amount of technology in adolescents’ bedrooms increased, sleep duration decreased. According to the study, almost all teens have at least one electronic device in their room – TV, cell phone, computer, telephone or music device. The average 6th grader has two devices and a 12th grader has four electronic devices in their bedroom. On average, teens said they used four devices after 9 p.m. including watching TV, sending text messages and using the internet.

Tired teens use caffeine to stay awake. Eleven percent of teens drink the equivalent of more than four espressos daily. Many schools limit the sale of energy drinks so teens often get the bulk of their caffeine dose after 3 p.m., which could disrupt sleep.

Researchers recommend that parents limit technological devices in the bedroom such as taking cell phones out of the bedroom. They also stress that teens should practice good sleep hygiene and partake in activities that are claming before bed as part of a regular bedtime routine.