Top Issues Teens Struggle With
Technology has changed or amplified the struggles teens face today. Advances in technology mean today’s teens are facing issues that no previous generation has ever seen. While some issues are not exactly new, electronic media has changed or amplified some of the struggles young people face. The average teen spends over 9 hours each day using their electronic devices. Their social media habits and media consumption are changing the way young people communicate, learn, sleep, and exercise.
Here are the top 10 issues teens struggle with:
1. Depression
20% of teenagers will experience depression before reaching adulthood.
Depression rates are growing among adolescents, especially in girls. Some researchers blame technology for the rise in mental health problems. Spending too much time on electronic devices may be preventing young people from engaging in sports or peer activities that can help prevent depression.
Depressive disorders are treatable but it’s important to seek professional help. If your teen seems withdrawn, experiences a change in his sleep or eating patterns, losses interest in doing the things that use to bring joy, or starts to perform poorly in school, schedule an appointment with your teen’s physician or contact a licensed mental health professional in your area.
2. Bullying
According to research conducted by Family First Aid, 30% of teens in the U.S. have been involved in bullying—either as a victim or as the bully. The rise of social media use by teens has made bullying much more public and more pervasive. The following are 8 facts about bullying.
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes
Anyone can be a victim of bullying
Bullying can happen at any age
There are 6 types of bullying – physical bullying, verbal bullying, relational aggression (emotional – excluding people from a group, spreading rumors, recruiting others to dislike the person), cyberbullying (a person uses the Internet or technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person), prejudicial bullying and sexual bullying.
Boys and girls bully differently
Those victimized by bullying often don’t report it
There are usually witnesses to bullying
Bullying has significant consequences
Talk to your teen about bullying regularly. Discuss what she can do when she witnesses bullying and talk about options if she becomes a target. Model assertive communication and behavior, standing up for yourself and what you believe in. Role play situations she has been in or seen others be in. Being proactive can be the key to helping your child deal with a bully. It’s important to talk to your child about when and how to get help from an adult. Remind her you are always available to talk.
Get Started Today!
Call us at (844) 546-6788
to schedule a free 20 minute consultation
3. Sexual Activity
Based on the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance data, 41% of high school students reported being sexually active. Births to teens, ages 15 to 19 accounted for 5.3% of all births in 2016. Of the 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases each year, more than half were among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
Often, parents don’t believe their children are sexually active. Be proactive and choose preventative measures. As the parent, take a stance and be the sex educator. Don’t leave it up to their teachers, schools, or public programs. Talk openly with your teen about sex, even if you don’t think your child is engaging in sexual activity. Provide “educational moments” every chance you can.
4. Drug Use
In 2017, 6% of 12th graders reported using marijuana daily. Marijuana use exceeds cigarette use in teens today. Surveys show teens believe marijuana is less harmful now than in years past. This may be due to the changing laws surrounding marijuana.
Fortunately, other illicit drug use has held steadily at the lowest levels in over two decades.
Hold regular conversations with your teen about the dangers of drugs which include prescription drugs. Many teens do not recognize the dangers of taking a friend’s prescription or popping a few pills that are in their parent’s medicine cabinet. Unfortunately, many teens underestimate how easy it is to develop an addiction. They don’t understand the risks associated with overdosing.
5. Alcohol Use
As of 2017, alcohol use and binge drinking showed a significant decline among teenagers. Despite the decline, 33.2 % of high school seniors still report drinking alcohol within the past month.
It’s important to hold regular conversations about the risks of drinking. Educate your teen about the dangers and consequences. Alcohol can have serious effects on a teenager’s developing brain. Be clear and express your disapproval of underage drinking. Saying you don’t approve can make a big difference in whether your teen decides to drink. If you drink, model it in moderation.
6. Obesity
According to the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey, 20.6% of 12- to 19-year-olds are obese. Hispanic and black children are more likely to be overweight or obese. Obese children are at a much greater risk of lifelong health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. Surveys show parents are bad at recognizing when their kids are overweight. They tend to underestimate their child’s size and the risks associated with being overweight.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician about the weight and body mass that are appropriate for your teen’s height and age. Inquire about the steps you can take to ensure your teen is healthy. Cook healthy meals regularly and model healthy eating habits. Discuss the importance of regular exercise and be a consistent model for your teen. Get involved in sports and physical activities with your teen and make it fun!
7. Academic Problems
Although the high school dropout rate is decreasing on a national level, 1.2 million students drop out of high school each year in the United States, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. A high school dropout is likely to earn $200,000 less over his lifetime when compared to a high school graduate. It’s no longer just the “troubled teens” who are dropping out of school. Some teens feel so much pressure to get into a good college that they’re burning themselves out before they graduate from high school.
Stay involved in your teen’s education and teach him to be an advocate for himself. Provide support and guidance and be ready to assist your teen if he encounters problems. Get excited about learning yourself. Choose a topic that your teen is interested in and learn about it along with them. This can result in some stimulating conversations for both of you.
8. Peer Pressure
While peer pressure isn’t a new issue, social media brings it to a whole new level. Sexting, for example, is a major cause for concern as many teens do not understand the lifelong consequences that sharing explicit photos can have on their lives.
Give your teen skills to make healthy choices and to resist peer pressure. Talk to your teen about what to do if she makes a mistake. Role play common scenarios that teen’s face. Sometimes, kids can make poor choices and may be too afraid to seek help. Encourage your teen to talk to you when he makes a mistake. Remind him that you are there for him. Whatever the situation, together you can work through it. Allow him to make you the “bad guy.” For example, if he is at a party and he becomes uncomfortable, tell him to blame you for his having to leave early. Take time to listen to his uncomfortable feelings and how he might prevent it from happening again.
9. Social Media
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be great ways for teens to connect with one another. However, be aware that social media can be problematic for several reasons.
No matter what precautions you take, teens are still likely to be exposed to unsavory people, unhealthy images, and sexual content online.
While there are measures being put into place to reduce the risks kids face online, it’s important for parents to get involved. Know what your teen is doing online. Have the computer in the kitchen or a place where you can easily monitor. Educate yourself and stay well informed about the latest apps, websites, and social media pages teens are using. Take steps to keep your teen safe. Talk with friends and other parents for helpful tips and ways to protect your teen. Allow your teen to educate you on the latest in social media. Take time and stay actively interested. Watch for “educational moments” where you can interject some wisdom in a non-threatening way.
10. On-Screen Violence
Teenagers are going to witness some violent media at one time or another. It’s not just TV and movies that depict violence. Many of today’s violent video games portray gory scenes and disturbing acts of aggression. Over the past couple of decades, a multitude of studies linked watching violence to a lack of empathy. Studies show the number one factor in determining how kids relate to media is how their parents think and act.
According to Common Sense Media, the more violence parents watch, the more likely they are to think it’s OK for their kids to view.
Pay attention to your teen’s media use. Don’t encourage your teens to watch R-rated movies or to play M-rated video games. Get acquainted with the shows and movies they are interested in and watch an episode now and them with them. If there are parts that raise concern for you, pause the show or movie and have a discussion about it. Ask questions like, “Tell me what you like about the show?” “Is there any part that you feel uncomfortable watching?” Play their video games with them. Share something about the game you liked and something that raised concern for you.
Talk to your teen about the dangers of being exposed to violent images and monitor your teen’s mental state. It’s also important to talk about sexual situations and racial stereotypes that your teen might see.
How to Talk to Your Teen
Bringing up any difficult subjects with your teen can feel uncomfortable. When possible, choose a time that is both good for you and him. Choose a comfortable setting, whether that be going for a walk, interacting with him in their favorite sport or hobby, or taking him out for breakfast or coffee. Boys tend to listen better when they are involved in a physical activity. Do not lecture or ask too many direct questions. A good way to strike up a conversation about drugs, sex, or other uncomfortable situations is to ask a question like, “Do you think this is a big issue at your school?” Listen to what your teen has to say. Remind your teen often that you love them and want the best for them. Have regular brief check-ins with them throughout the day. Take the opportunity to have “teachable moments” with them. Make your expectations and opinions clear. Tell your teen that you don’t condone certain things and discuss the consequences for breaking your rules.
Information provided on this site does not constitute a patient therapist relationship, and should be used under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional. Information presented on this page was written by Wendy Lewis Counselor at Lions Heart Counseling.
Resources used in this article
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexual Risk Behaviors
Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health. National Survey for Children’s Health
Family First Aid. School Bullying Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics. High School Dropout
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana