As a parent, watching your child enter their teenage years can be both exciting and daunting. The journey from childhood to adulthood is marked by significant physical, emotional and social changes that can leave both teens and their parents feeling overwhelmed.
“In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, teenagers face a unique set of challenges that previous generations never had to confront,” says Kimberly Strickland, APRN, a pediatric provider at Mount Nittany Health.
10 challenges facing today’s teenagers
From the pervasive influence of social media to the mounting pressures of academic achievement and societal expectations, teens today are grappling with a complex array of issues that can affect their mental health and overall well-being.
As these pressures continue to shape how young people see themselves and their place in the world, here are ten common challenges your teen may be facing:
Body image concerns
Both males and females have always struggled to meet the cultural ideals of body shape and size. Social media has upped the game — there are now so many more images available for teens to compare their bodies to. When teens post photos of themselves, it opens the door to body shaming and hurtful comments.
Depression
It is estimated that 5 million adolescents in the U.S. have had at least one major depressive episode. Depression is more prevalent in females than males. Experiencing struggles with the “fear of missing out” (FOMO) can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Anxiety
Teen anxiety has increased, with a reported 31.9% of teens experiencing some form of teen anxiety disorder. Anxiety can arise for various reasons, including school, social issues, family issues and the world in general.
Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem isn’t new for teens; the teen years are a period when it is universally low. After childhood, there is an increase in peer pressure and the need to fit in and measure up to friends.
“Low self-esteem can negatively impact a teen’s social engagement and cause a lack of confidence to build healthy relationships,” says Kimberly.
Stress
Today’s teens are more stressed than any other generation. They’re not only worried about academics or making the team, but they are also worried about mass shootings, increased suicide rates and personal safety. Today’s teens are yesterday’s overscheduled children and have been dealing with stress all their lives. Now, their elevated stress levels can lead to anxiety and depression.
Peer pressure
Peer pressure exists for all age groups and teens have always struggled with it. However, access to smartphones and social media has taken it to a whole new level.
“Sexting is a pressure today’s teens experience and a significant concern that teens don’t understand the lifelong consequences of,” says Kimberly. “Sending inappropriate photos is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Teens are pressured to have sex, use drugs or alcohol and bully even others. Being accepted by others is the most coveted status a teen seeks.
Risky sexual behavior
Sexual curiosity and exploration begin in early adolescence and can lead some teens to engage in risky sexual behaviors. Media continues to sexualize youth and adolescents running the risk of teens engaging in online relationships that can have higher consequences. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are still among the consequences associated with risky sexual behavior.
Bullying and cyberbullying
Nearly one in four teens between the ages of 12 and 18 report being bullied each year. Social media has exacerbated bullying by introducing cyberbullying, which is the most common type of harassment teens experience.
“Cyberbullying can include photos and hurtful words posted anonymously and immediately shared with the masses, which multiplies the harm, causing lasting emotional damage,” says Kimberly.
Social media
Social media can be a great tool for teens to connect, but it can also lead to cyberbullying and more. It can hurt friendships, changes the way teens date and it can impact their mental health. No matter what precautions you take, teens are likely to be exposed to unsavory people, images and sexual content online.
Substance use and abuse
The overall rate of drug use among teens has been down since 1975, but there has been a dramatic rise in overdoses in that age group. Traditional drugs are being laced with synthetic and more dangerous substances like Fentanyl.
Promoting healthy habits and positive decision-making in adolescents
Create a safe space where your teen will not feel judged so that they aren’t too afraid to share. They may already feel a stigma about what they are experiencing, so assure them there is no shame in sharing what is happening.
“No one is perfect, and we shouldn’t expect our kids to be either,” says Kimberly. “While obedience may be desired, teens will push boundaries and make mistakes. By creating an environment where teens can learn from their mistakes instead of only being punished, they will be less likely to work harder to avoid getting caught continuing the behavior.”
Help teens learn to validate their accomplishments and self-esteem on internal measures and not just by comparing them to a false perception of online images. Help them learn their strengths and how they can shine a light in this world.
You are the most influential person in your teen’s life. Have the hard conversations now to lay a strong foundation. Listen to what they have to say and try not to be judgmental but make your expectations and opinions clear. They must understand where you stand and know the consequences of breaking the rules.
Pediatrics
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