What are the 5 Greatest Challenges Facing Teens Today?
Think back to when you were a teenager. Chances are, your life was filled with plenty of challenges - from trying to figure out who you were to deal with all the changes happening in your body, relationship woes, peer pressure, and being grounded for missing curfew. Times have changed, and today's teenagers face different challenges than we ever did. When I was growing up, life was much simpler then. Kids today are forced to grow up faster, and although they have more access to information, how are you supposed to make sense of all of it? Here are five of the biggest challenges teens face today.
Lack of Connection with Others
“34% of young adults, aged 13 to 24, say they have no meaningful connection with anyone, friends or family”
It's hard to believe that nearly a third of Canadian teenagers say they have no close friends, but it's a reality that many kids are facing today. The pandemic has only exacerbated the problem of social isolation, as teens have been forced to stay home and miss out on essential experiences like going to school or hanging out with friends. For many teens, the lack of connection is profoundly troubling and can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Why are our teens so isolated in a society with greater connectivity than ever before? IMI International conducted this research study in October 2021. This data is an astonishing reality and a sign of the times our youth face today.
Anxiety, Depression & Pressure
Teen anxiety and pressure are at an all-time high. Social media, school performance, disjointed families, and FOMO are all contributing factors. Teens are feeling the need to be perfect in all aspects of their lives. They are under immense pressure to get good grades, have a large social media following, participate in extracurricular activities, and more. The list goes on and on. This pressure can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It's important to have outlets to release this pressure, whether it's talking to someone you trust, participating in a hobby you enjoy, or both. Don't suffer in silence. Talk to someone about what you're going through. You don't have to face these challenges alone.
Bullying & Cyberbullying
Bullying and cyberbullying is one of the most significant stressors facing teens. Every day, millions of teens worldwide are subjected to bullying and harassment from their peers. And with the rise of social media, bullying has taken on a new form: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet or mobile devices to send another person mean, hurtful or threatening messages. It can include sending abusive texts or emails, posting hateful comments or images online, or even creating fake profiles or websites to humiliate someone. Cyberbullying can be incredibly damaging to a person's mental health and well-being and can even lead to suicide. Despite the harmful effects of bullying, many teens suffer in silence because they're afraid to speak up. It's essential for parents, teachers, and other adults to be aware of the signs of bullying and cyberbullying and to provide support and resources for those who are being forced. Together, we can help create a safe and supportive environment for all teens.
Body Image/ Body Shaming
Body image and body shaming are significant problems facing teens today. Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror. Body shaming is when someone makes you feel bad about your appearance. Body image and body shaming can kill confidence and self-esteem and cause eating disorders that, under severe situations, can jeopardize a child's life. With the constant pressure of social media encouraging "likes and shares," it's no doubt that teens can be incredibly self-conscious about their bodies.
Parents need to talk to their kids about body image and shaming and help them develop a healthy body image. It's also crucial for kids to see Role Models who are comfortable in their skin and who aren't afraid to show their imperfections. We all have flaws, and that's what makes us human. We must learn to love ourselves for who we are, not for who we think we should be.
Overexposure to Everything
Kids are exposed to everything today because of the internet. Anything they want to learn about or see is only a few clicks away. I remember getting my haircut at Santo's Barbershop as a kid; I'd go over and sneak a look at the latest Playboy magazine while waiting to get my haircut. Today, kids have access to millions of pornographic sites with movies and images that are much more graphic than those Playboy magazines at the front of the barbershop.
With kids today younger than ten having smartphones, all this information and graphic illustration are at their fingertips 24/7. You can't monitor your child around the clock. Today, so many kids are desensitized to sex and violence because of the material they access through the internet and video games.
Conclusion
It's hard to be a teenager today. Between the challenges of dealing with school, trying to fit in, and facing all sorts of new dangers offline and online, it's no wonder that many kids feel anxious and depressed. Bullying has always been a problem, but the advent of social media has made it easier for bullies to target their victims more efficiently than ever before. And then there are the unrealistic standards set by social media stars who have perfect lives, according to teenagers. No wonder they sometimes feel like they can never measure up. Would you want to be a teenager today? We didn't think so. Fortunately, the How Are You Feeling program addresses all of these issues and several other challenges facing teens today, so they can help develop their own coping mechanisms and push through to the other side.