Worldwide Teenage Voices

 

Teen years are often remembered as an edgy period when teenagers are volatile. Daily Nation interviewed several teenagers from different parts of the world to find out about their worries and priorities. The result showed that teenagers mostly prioritise their friends, studies, families and the future, yet their worries change depending on where they live. Here we will read about how teens from various countries see their world.

Anthika, 18, Bangkok
It is a thrilling to live in Bangkok as a teenager; however, I am quite worried about how seriously the Thai culture is affected by globalisation. I am surprised to see that Bangkok became a social media hot spot. It is now so easy to access information and to keep in touch with friends through websites and mobile apps like Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram etc…The downside of all that is the change in values. Teenagers are more materialistic; they want big cars and motorbikes from parents. Maybe they are influenced by other countries. Worse still, people nowadays use so much social media that they forget to interact with the people in their own families, she says.

Kate, 17, Canada
I live in a quite an international community. I love the cultural diversity I grow up in. In my personal life, I care a lot about my school and academic success as well as my relationship with friends. It is difficult not to feel anxious about my future life after school, though.

Jedidiah, 13, Lagos
I live in an upmarket suburb in Africa's biggest city. My main aim is to get the best education I can and also have the most fun. There are not many places for teenagers to go out in Lagos. But we go to the cinema and we have sleepovers with friends. I also enjoy making music videos on a smartphone app. I am worried about the limited job opportunities in my country. That’s why I don’t want to stay in Nigeria. I would like to become an architect or a fashion designer and go around the world.

Elvis, 14, Spain
I dream of a more peaceful and less stressful world. A lot of people are dying of cancer and I think that stress is the main reason for it. So, I can say that I am quite concerned about my health and happiness. I would like to get a degree in medicine and save lives.

Florencia, 15, Santiago
I am a high school student on the outskirts of Santiago and what matters to me right now is going out and having a crazy time! I love hanging out with other young people! I am worried about the fact that girls my age are growing up too quickly in the Chilean capital. I see girls of 12 in the street wearing make-up and dressing like grown women. I honestly don’t like that! I also don't like the fact that young people nowadays are more impatient. We want everything right now and don’t want to wait. Unfortunately, I see a world where one day "children will no longer be children, they will skip that step."