The Modern Teen

It’s harder to be a teen now than it was in the past. When you were a teenager you may have never even thought of the problems that teenagers face today. Here are five common problems modern teens face:

1. ................... Most teenage girls are unhappy with their bodies. They believe thinner girls have more friends and are also more popular and more attractive to boys. As a result, they are more obsessed than ever with losing weight. They are convinced that being thin is the key to being happy and popular. Now many girls of 13 and 14 are dieting constantly at an age when their bodies are still developing. It’s tragic that even girls of a normal weight want to be skinny.

2. ................... Bullying has been around forever. But now, with new technology, it is taken to a new level. Teens now face any kind of harassment, embarrassment, or bullying while using the Internet, cell phones, or other interactive technology. In fact, this can be more dangerous than traditional bullying. It can go viral – meaning that the attacks may be shared on the Internet for all to see, and people can easily show others.

3. ................... Many teens are not sure as to what life holds for them. Which university they will get into and what will be the career that they will have is uncertain. So they often feel depressed and are found lost or daydreaming.

4. ................... Teens take a peek at their phones every hour to check for new text, call or social media notifications. They get anxious when they are not using their devices. Their minds and bodies are constantly under stress. This over-use of technology leads to less productivity, lower energy levels, difficulty in concentrating, lower brain activity and insomnia. In short, many teens are becoming zombies glued to their phones.

5. ................... Going to university, attaining good grades, completing homework and preparing for examinations and so on. These factors all cause teens to feel stressed. They fear failure, so they place too much pressure on themselves to achieve. They also feel stress due to parental or teacher expectations.