Challenges of Being a Teenager in the 21st Century

Being a teenager today is so different than when I was one which wasn’t so long ago since I am only in my 30s (ha-ha kidding). The world has changed so much in the last few decades and it seems like being a teen is so much harder now. In my time the most we were worried about is when can we go outside to play and we were forced to come inside, now it is in reverse.

There are so many challenges that come with growing up in the 21st century, it can be tough trying to navigate through all of these obstacles and figure out life-ing. But that’s what makes being a teenager today so interesting – it’s an adventure figuring out this strange new world!

And despite all the challenges, there’s nothing quite like experiencing teenage years for the first time. So if you’re a parent of a teenager (like I am) or a teen yourself, hang in there!

Teenage girl problems

Being a teenage girl is hard. From dealing with raging hormones to trying to fit in at school, there’s a lot to navigate, trust me I was one too so I speak from experience. One of the biggest challenges is learning to deal with your emotions, for many girls, this is the first time in their lives when they start to feel so much more.

We also feel super sensitive and emotional (sadly, not much changes here when you move to full maturity), leading to arguments with friends and family members.

Another big challenge is body image and with social media portraying unrealistic standards of beauty; it’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough. This can lead to dieting and over exercising, as well as low self-esteem and negative body image.

The good news is that you’re not alone. There are plenty of resources out there to help you through this tough time in your life. Talk to your parents, teachers, or a counselor if you’re struggling. And remember that this phase of your life is only temporary. Things will get better!

Challenges faced by youth today

While every generation faces its own share of challenges, youth today are contending with more than their fair share. In an increasingly fast-paced as well as competitive world, they are bombarded with messages telling them that they need to have the perfect body, the perfect job, and the perfect life.

The constant pressure can be overwhelming and lead to feelings of anxiety and inadequacy. Additionally, youth today are growing up in a time of great political turmoil. They are witnesses to mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and racial tensions.

The 24-hour news cycle ensures that they are constantly bombarded with images of violence and tragedy. As a result, many young people feel afraid and uncertain about the future. To make matters worse, the Covid pandemic era happened and it has been a tough time for everyone, but especially for youth.

Many have faced challenges with distance learning, Zoom fatigue, and social isolation. Some have even lost loved ones to the virus. In addition, the pandemic has exacerbated economic inequality and mental health problems.

The good news is that youth are resilient and adaptable. They have shown great creativity in finding ways to connect with each other online and offline is a tad bit unpracticed but they remain willing. And they continue to hope for a better future, despite the challenges they face.

The youth remain optimistic about the future and are a little lazy (I reference my teen daughter on this particularly) but determined to make a difference in the world.

Teenage social problems

As a parent of a teenage girl, I have seen firsthand the social problems that can plague teens. It breaks my heart that my daughter is so ill equipped to deal with these situations. It drives a wedge between us as she completely relies more on the influence of social media instead of my guidance.

Social media has become a prominent part of many teenagers’ lives. It is a way to connect with friends, share experiences and interests, and express opinions. However, social media can also have a negative impact for example; it can lead to cyber bullying, body image issues, and social anxiety.

Cyber bullying is a type of bullying that takes place online [1]. It can include sending mean messages or spreading rumors about someone. Body image issues can arise when teenagers compare themselves to the “perfect” bodies they see on social media which unfortunately is more an issue with the females than males.

This can lead to unhealthy dieting or even eating disorders. Social anxiety is another potential problem. When teenagers are constantly exposed to the “perfect” lives of others, they may start to feel like they don’t measure up. This can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.

While social media can be a great way to connect with friends and the world (as someone who is on all social platforms, I get it), it is however important to be aware of the potential risks. Both parents and kids need to be made aware and together we can navigate these 21^st century challenges.

Teenage problems in school

My teen makes me question my life choices often and apparently according to her ‘I am the worst mom ever!’ Hence we can all agree that teen years can be hell-a taxing (Oh, FYI my youngest son is on the cusp of teen-hood as well so yippee more drama on the way #rollingeyes).

During these years, teens are dealing with hormonal changes, peer pressure, and the pressure to succeed in school. As a result, it’s not uncommon those problems to bleed into the school environment.

These problems can manifest in a number of ways, including poor grades, disciplinary issues, and social problems. While some teenage problems are simply a normal part of growing up, others can be more serious and require professional help.

If you’re concerned about a teen’s academic or social performance, it’s important to talk to their teachers or guidance counselor. I found these extremely worth pursuing because by working together, we can help our teens overcome (somewhat) the challenges they’re facing.

Helping my daughter with the aid of her emphatic teachers has already made her feel surer of herself and her environment. I have seen slight changes and we are hoping that at this stage we can only more forward…time will tell. Parents get involved; it is the ONLY way to help our kids.

What are the difficulties of being a teenager?

The diffulties of being a teenager is simply the fact that you are no longer a child, but not yet an adult. You are expected to take on more responsibility, but may not always be ready or able to do so. You may feel like you have to grow up too fast, or like you’re being left behind.

My daughter often tells me that we coddle her too much and she longs for freedom. In this day and age of human trafficking, kidnapping and the very real danger as well as threats out there, we can’t afford to give her that much freedom.

In my day we could play alone and wander out to our hearts content. Not a care in the world. Now, the times have changed. People have changed. Darkness has infiltrated the world on every level and trust is a rare commodity. These unique challenges of modern teens with social media addiction in teens especially to FOMO (fear of missing out) and the very real dangers of the online world. The world is not safe anymore.

Then there are the face masks. We had to deal with that new reality. Sitting in a class with masks on was never something we had to do as teens or kids nor was not being able to play or sit with friends at intervals. Then when the masks protocol was lifted many kids/teens were so used to not being seen or recognized that, that had a negative impact on their self esteem.

This struggle unlocked more difficulties of a teenager, their identity issues: feeling like they have to conform to what others expect becomes too much for some. My daughter falls in this category and it was a battle for her to overcome, well, it is still being overcome.

Peer pressure and cyberbullying too can be a very real and overwhelming force. The friends our kids keep can be either beneficial or destructive. Regrettably, it is often the latter. Those friends can leach the life out your teen with their negativity and poisonous tongues because often it is the emotional bullying (in my opinion and experience) that is the most destructive.

You can see a bruise or a wound but not an emotional one. So, how can you help if you don’t see the damage being done?

I worry that my daughter will make poor choices that will hurt her emotionally or physically, or that she’ll be taken advantage of by someone who is older and more experienced than she is. I want her to be able to enjoy her teenage years and make lasting friendships, but I also want her to be safe.

It’s a delicate balance, and one that I often struggle with as a parent. We, as parents need to be able to build some sort of relationship of trust with our kids. And teens, you need to be willing to compromise with your parents. Communication and Keeping the faith… It is the only way we can all get through these years in one peace.

Wrapping up: Challenges of Being a Teenager

If you’re a parent struggling to keep up with your teenager, just remember that you were once in their shoes. Yes, I know, the struggle is real for me and my anxiety levels too (Mayday mayday I’m going down!).

My daughter has only turned 15 so I have some years (God willing) to still get through. I try to engage in her world, rather than expecting her to always conform to mine – it seems to make life a lot easier for the both of us. Give it a try and please feel free to message me some pointers if you have any 🙂

Charlie

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Charlene is a published author/writer who has embarked on a personal journey, with the hope of providing guidance, support and advice to all who may need it.