Teenagers are very special people. Enjoy your time with your teenager now, no matter what because once they grow, you’ll miss those years. There are several teenagers’ problems and challenges, teenage rebellion is not left out but despite all, teenagers are fun to be with. Not only are they fun to be with, they have a lot of ideas and thoughts going on in their minds. You’d be very amazed at some of the things they say. However, as dynamic and fun to be with as they are, they face a lot of problems and challenges.
The reason for this isn’t far-fetched, their brains are still developing and their bodies are changing quickly. So they’re prone to pressure, depression, psychological changes and emotional changes.
The numerous social issues and problems teenagers face can affect their emotional and physical health.
The recent advancements in technology also mean that today’s teens face new and different social issues. Social media, and electronic media, has changed and amplified teenage troubles. Digital communication has also changed the way teens interact with their peers and parents.
The use of technology has affected many teens’ essential interpersonal communication skills like knowing how to pick up on social cues. Technology has also affected how teens communicate, date, learn, sleep, have fun, and more. The average teen spends over eight hours each day using electronic devices. All these are a pointer to why they face a lot of social issues .
These are the top 10 social problems teens secretly struggle with every day.
Bullying
Bullying is one of the major challenges teens face all over the world. Bullying is often hidden and social media today has made bullying increase and become much more public. This is because cyberbullying on social media has replaced bullying as the most common type of harassment that teens experience.
Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), at least 17 in 100 teenagers may experience depression before reaching adulthood. Further research also shows that depression is much more prevalent in female teens than male teens. For every depressed teen, there are three female depressed teens (3:1).
Sexual Activity
Sexual activity has over the years been an issue of concern amongst teenagers. Many experiment with the ideas of sex and romance. Some just want to feel among, to feel accepted by their peers.
According to research, of the 26 million newly sexually transmitted infections in 2018, more than half were among young people who were majorly teenagers from the age of 15.
Drug Use
In 2021, according to a survey by the national institute of health on drug abuse, it was reported that 1 out of 7 teenagers use marijuana daily. Many teens have been made to believe that marijuana is harmless.
As parents or guardians, it is important to have regular conversations with your teenagers about the dangers of drugs. Letting your teenagers know that you don’t approve of their drinking habits can go a long way to help.
Not just hard drugs but prescription drugs, too. Many teens use their friend’s prescription drugs or randomly use a few pills that are not prescribed to them. Some take to self-medication especially when they are trying to achieve weight loss.
Teenagers don’t know that they can easily develop an addiction. And they also don’t understand the risks associated with overdosing. It is expedient to talk about these risks with them often on a consistent basis.
Obesity
According to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 22% of teenagers in the U.S. are obese. Of these estimates, black children are more likely to be overweight or obese than White or Asian children.
Overweight teens face a lot of problems ranging from health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease to bullying. These teens also struggle with low self-esteem, eating disorders and depression.
Sometimes parents are not aware of these issues. It is very important for Parents to be aware of their children’s actions and appearance. It is important that you take note of whether your child is comfortable on her own skin or not.
Also Parents can talk to their teen’s pediatrician about the normal BMI (body mass index) for them. Also Parents should help their children follow a healthier eating plan or exercise.
Low Self-esteem
Self-esteem refers to the overall opinion a person has about themselves, what they think about their abilities and worth, their self-confidence, and their sense of security. Many teenagers suffer a terrible sense of self secretly because of so many reasons. Some reasons teenagers have low self-esteem include abuse, unavailable parents, academic difficulty, societal beauty standards and so on.
Academic Problems
Many high school teenagers drop out of school every year. Some for financial reasons, some as a result of teenage pregnancy, others as a result of sicknesses or peer pressure. Academic problems may negatively impact many teens’ future. Hence it is important to stay involved in your teen’s education. Provide support and guidance for them and be ready to assist them if they encounter problems. Sometimes teenagers try to hide academic problems but by being constantly involved in your Teenager’s life, you will be able to tell if there are hidden problems.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure has been a major problem for teenagers for years. Social media and the new age has made things worse. Now there’s sexting and there’s the pressure to get involved.
Teenagers face the pressure to share their nude photos, join a cult, have sex, use drugs or alcohol, and even bully others. To keep your teens from falling victim to peer pressure, teach them how to make healthy choices, and how to resist peer pressure.
You can only help your teenager get over peer pressure by constantly being available for them without judging them and letting them know that they can trust you.
Social Media
Social media is a very powerful tool and can be a great means for teens to connect with one another, but social media can be problematic for several reasons. It can expose teenagers to cyberbullying, sexual crime,slut-shaming, and so much more.
Social media also has a lot of negative impact on teenage friendships, the way teens date and even on their mental health. Your teens may become exposed to unhealthy people, unhealthy images, and sexual content online.
On-Screen Violence
Teenagers often face a lot of on-screen violence and this problem seems hidden because not many parents or guardians witness the violent media their teens see. It’s not just TV, music, and movies that depict violence. There are many video games that teens are exposed to that portray disturbing acts of aggression. These violent acts and images can be linked to aggressive behavior and lack of empathy in teens.
Some teenagers also watch violence physically. Teenagers with parents who are always violent with each other. Parents also need to avoid seeing violent images and movies because the more violence parents watch, the more likely they are to think it’s OK for their kids to view.
WAY OUT
Although these problems are often hidden in your teens, there are a few important steps you can take to help you and your teenager avoid unnecessary conflicts, while you discover and get over all of these problems.
Teenagers need to avoid spending too much time on electronic devices or not on the internet. Spending a lot of time on the internet may prevent young people from physical activities with their peers, such as sports, which can help get over depression. Also cyberbullying happens when teenagers spend too much time on social media and in various chat rooms. They are more susceptible to abuse and cyberbullying when they spend too much time online.
Teenagers also need to overcome the popular fear of missing out thst they experience which often pyshes them to do the wrong things or go against theur heart desires.
You can help your teen learn how to use social media in a healthy way and teach them how they can stay safe online. Also it is important for Parents and guardians to know what their teens are doing online. You should also take steps to limit your teen’s screen time.
Parents of teenagers can help them get treated for depressive disorders. This can be done by seeking professional help. If you notice that your teenager seems withdrawn, or has insomnia or starts to perform badly in school, schedule an appointment with your teen’s psychologist. Do not delay treatment.
Parents can also help their teens get over bullying problems by talking to them about bullying regularly and also talking to them on how they can get help.
As parents, even if you’re not aware that your children are sexually active. You need to talk to your teen about sex and the importance of safe sex practices,
Pay attention to your teen’s media use. Don’t allow your teens to watch R-rated movies or to play M-rated video games. It’s not healthy for them to watch sexually explicit movies without supervision.
Parents, talk to your teen about the dangers of being exposed to violent images and monitor your teen’s mental state. It is also important to talk about sexual situations and racial stereotypes that your teen might see.
As a teenager, you need to learn how to identify what is good and what is bad in the media. This helps them become a healthier consumer when they can think objectively about what they are seeing online, in the movie theater, or in a video game.
As a parent of a teenager, you must learn how to discuss with your child. You must learn how to be friends with your children. There are several subjects that seem difficult and uncomfortable to discuss with your teen. You need to learn how to discuss these topics with your teen.
As parents, you may feel disturbed when it looks as if you’re unable to reach out to your teen. It is however important to note that even when it seems like they are not listening, you are still the most influential person in your teen’s life. It is important to lay a strong foundation before it becomes too late.
Also you need to always listen to what your teenager has to say. Try not to be too judgmental, and also always make your expectations and opinions clear. Set boundaries for your teens and let them understand that there are rules and you don’t condone certain behaviors.