Technology has caused conflict or change on the face of young people.
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 prevalence of digital communication has changed the way teens interact with their peers and romantic interests.1 Because of this, many teens lack essential interpersonal communication skills like knowing how to pick up on social cues. Much of this dysfunction can be linked to the overuse of technology.
Teens' social media and texting habits as well as how they consume media is changing the way they communicate, date, learn, sleep, exercise, and more. In fact, the average teen spends over nine hours each day using their electronic devices.
Depression
Spending too much time on electronic devices may be preventing young people from in-person activities with their peers such as sports, which can help ward off depression.6 They also experience new conditions like "fear of missing out" or FOMO, which further leads to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Depressive disorders are treatable, but it's important to seek professional help. If your teen seems withdrawn, experiences a change in his sleep patterns, or starts to perform badly in school, schedule an appointment with your teen's physician or contact a mental health professional. Do not delay getting help for your teen if you notice these symptoms.
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Bullying
Talk to your teen about bullying regularly. Discuss what they can do when they witnesses bullying and talk about options if they become a target themselves. Being proactive is key to helping your child deal with a bully.
It's also important to talk to your child about when and how to get help from an adult. Remind them that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but instead a show of courage. Talking about how someone has humiliated them is never an easy topic.
Sexual activity
Fortunately, teen birth rates have declined over the past decade. Teen births between the ages of 15 and 19 accounted for 5.0% of all births in 2017.10, declining pregnancy does not mean that teenagers are using protection, however.
Each year, more than half of the 20 million newly transmitted diseases were among youth between the ages of 15 and 24.11.
Parents may not be aware that their children are sexually active, however. Talk to your teenager about sex, even if you do not feel that your child is engaged in sexual activities.
Drug use
In 2017, about 6% of seniors in high school reported using marijuana daily. Marijuana use is higher than cigarette use now in teens 12. In fact, many teenagers believe that marijuana is less harmful now than in previous years. This new perception may be due to the changing laws surrounding marijuana.
Make sure that you have regular conversations with your teenager about the dangers of drugs. And don't forget to mention the dangers of prescription drugs. Many teens do not recognize the dangers of taking friend's prescriptions or popping pills that are not prescribed to them.
Unfortunately, teens often perceive how easy it is to develop addiction. And they do not understand the risks associated with overdosing. Make sure that you are constantly talking about these risks.
Alcohol use
Talk to teens about the risk of drinking less.
Educate them about the dangers, including the fact that alcohol can take a serious toll on a teenager's developing brain
Also, do not shy away from expressing your disapproval of drinking alcohol. Saying that you do not approve if your teen decides to drink alcohol.
Obesity
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of 12- to 19-year-olds are obese, with Hispanic and Black children more likely to be overweight or obese.
Aside from the fact that overweight children are often targeted by bullies, obese kids also are at a much greater risk of lifelong health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease.16 They also may struggle with body image issues or develop eating disorders as an unhealthy way of changing their appearance. But parents are not always aware of these issues.
Educational problems
But, it is no longer just "troubled teens" who are dropping out of school. Some teenagers feel so pressured to come to a good college that they burn themselves before graduating from high school. 19 Be involved in your teenage education. If he encounters problems, provide help and guidance and be ready to help your teenager.
Peer Pressure
To keep your kids from falling victim to peer pressure, give them skills to make healthy choices, and to resist peer pressure. Also, talk to teens about what to do if they make a mistake.
Sometimes, kids can make poor choices and may be too afraid to seek help. Make sure your kids are not afraid to come to you when they make a mistake. Demonstrate that you can listen without judging or overreacting and instead find healthy ways for them to make amends and move on.
social media
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be great ways for teens to connect with each other; But social media can be problematic for many reasons. For example, social media can make your teens cyberbullying, slut-shaming, and more
And, while social media has some benefits, there are a lot of risks as well.
Social media can negatively impact friendships and changing teenage dates. It can also affect their mental health. 2 But, no matter what precautions you take, teens are still likely to be exposed to unhealthy people, unhealthy images and sexual content online.
While measures are being taken to reduce the risks that children are getting online, it is important to involve parents.
Help your teen learn to navigate social media in a healthy way. Talk about ways to stay safe online. And most importantly, know what your teen is doing online. Educate yourself about the latest apps, websites and social media page teens and take steps to keep your teen safe. You may also want to take steps to limit your teenage screen time.
On-Screen Violence
Teenagers are going to witness some violent media at one time or another. And it's not just TV, music, 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, studies have linked watching violence to a lack of empathy and even aggressive behavior.23 And other studies have shown the number one factor in determining how kids relate to media is how their parents think and act.24
According to Common Sense Media, the more violence that parents watch, the more likely they are to think it's OK for their kids to view.25 Pay attention to your teen's media use. Don't allow teens to watch R-rated movies or to play M-rated video games. It's not healthy for them to consume that material in excess and unsupervised.
Also, 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.
Teens need to learn how to identify what is good and what is bad about the media. It 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.
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