Social problems are problems that affect large groups of people and can affect the functioning of a society. Teenagers can be faced with social problems just like adults. They may even be more vulnerable to these challenges, as their brains are still developing and their bodies are rapidly changing. Social problems and what we call "adolescent issues" can affect emotional and physical health.
advances inTechnologythey also mean that young people today are confronted with new and different social problems. Electronic media have changed or amplified some adolescent problems: for example, digital communication has changed the way teenagers interact with their peers and romantic interests.
The digital life also means that many teens lack basic interpersonal communication skills, such as: B. knowing how to pick up on social cues. Much of this dysfunction may be related to the use of technology(but on the other hand, socializing and virtual learning was essential during the COVID-19 pandemic).
Teens' social media and texting habits are changing the way they communicate, date, study, sleep, exercise, and more. The average teenager spends more than eight hours a day using electronic devices.
While not all social problems are technology-related, many have complicated relationships with technology and media use. These are the top 10 social issues that teens struggle with every day.
Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 4.1 million teens in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2020. That means 17% of American teens have experienced depression at some point.reach adulthood. NIMH data also show that depression is much more common among adolescent girls (25.2%) than among boys (9.2%) and among adolescents who identify two or more races (29.9%).
Spending a lot of time with electronic devices can discourage young people from engaging in personal activities with their peers, such as B. Exercise, which can help stave off depression.They also experience new states such as “fear of missing out” orFOMO, 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 If your teen seems withdrawn, experiences an altered sleep schedule, or is performing poorly in school, make an appointment with your child's doctor or see a mental health professional. Don't hesitate to get your teen help if you notice these symptoms.
5 common mental illnesses in teenagers
Mobbing
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 22% of teens in the United States were affected by bullying in 2019.Research suggests that social media has made bullying much more public and widespread.Cyber-Mobbingreplaced bullying as the most common type of harassment experienced by young people.
To protect yourself from such teenage problems,Talk to your child about bullyingregularly. Discuss what they can do if they witness bullying and talk about options if this happens.become a targetin itself. Being proactive is key to helping your child deal with a bully.
It's also important to talk with your child about when and how to get help from an adult. Talking about how someone humiliated you is never an easy topic. But asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of courage.
The different types of bullying parents should be aware of
sexual activity
In the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) survey, 38% of high school students reported having had sex; 27.4% said they were sexually active. This is down from the last decade (46% had sex in 2009; 34% were sexually active today).
The teenage birth rate has also declined over the past decade. In 2020, the teen birth rate was 15.4 (births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19), down 8% from 2019 and 75% from a peak of 61.8 in 1991. in adolescence accounted for less than 5% of all births.
However, the decline in pregnancy does not necessarily mean that teens are using contraception. Just over half of sexually active teens reported using a condom at their last sexual encounter, according to YRBSS data, while around 31% used hormonal contraceptives and 9% used both.
Of the 26 million new sexually transmitted infections in 2018, more than half occurred among 15- to 24-year-olds.
Parents may not be aware that their children are sexually active. Talk with your teen about sex and the importance of safe sex practices, even if you don't think your teen is engaging in sexual activity.
How to talk to your kids about sex
drug's use
In 2021, about 3% of surveyed teens (in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders) reported using marijuana daily. Marijuana use now exceeds and is on par with cigarette use among teenagers.In fact, many teens believe that marijuana is less harmful today than it was in the past. This new perception may be due to changes in laws surrounding marijuana.
According to the Monitoring the Future Survey, published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the use of other substances among teenagers is decreasing. While this decline has been observed since the survey began in 1975, the declines in 2021 were "steep and atypical".
Still, it's important to have regular conversations with your teen about the dangers of drugs. And don't forget to mention the dangers of prescription drugs, too. Many teens don't realize the dangers of taking a friend's prescription or taking some pills that weren't prescribed for them.
Teenagers often underestimate how easy it is to develop an addiction. And they don't understand the risks associated with overdose. Make sure you talk about these risks consistently.
Teen drug use warning signs
alcohol consumption
In 2021, alcohol use and binge drinking among teens continued to show significant declines. However, 26% of high school graduates surveyed claimed to have drunk alcohol in the last month.
Talk to teens about the risks of underage drinking. Educate them about the dangers, including the fact that alcohol can severely damage a teenager's developing brain.Also, don't be afraid to voice your disapproval of underage drinking. Saying you disagree can make a big difference in a teenager's decision to drink.
Signs that your teen is drinking alcohol
obesity
About 22% of 12- to 19-year-olds in the US are obese, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hispanic and black children are more likely to be overweight or obese than white or Asian children.
Obese children and adolescents are often attacked by bullies. Obese children are also at a much higher risk of lifelong health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer and heart disease.You can fight with toobody image issuesordevelop eating disordersas a sick way to change your appearance.
Parents are not always aware of these problems. Research shows that parents are bad at recognizing their children's obesity.They tend to underestimate the size of their children and the risks associated with being overweight.
Talk to your child's pediatrician about appropriate weight and body mass for your child's height and age, and ask about steps you can take to ensure your child is healthy. Then, as your doctor recommends a healthier eating or exercise plan, you'll find ways to support and strengthen your teen.
academic problems
About 5% of high school students drop out of high school each year in the United States, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.A high school dropout is likely toEarn $200,000 Lessover a lifetime compared to a high school graduate, which can have a significant impact on a young person's future.
But it's not just "problem teens" who drop out of school anymore. Some teens feel so pressured to get into a good college that they burn out before they finish high school.Get involved in your teen's education. Offer support and guidance and be ready to help your teen when he encounters problems.
How You Can Help When Your Child Is Falling Behind in School
peer pressure
While teens have suffered from peer pressure for generations, social media is taking it to a whole new level.sexting, for example, is cause for concern; Many teenagers do not understand lifefollowthat sharing explicit photos can have on their lives.
But sharing inappropriate photos isn't the only thing kids should do. Teens are pressured to have sex, use drugs or alcohol, and even bully others.To keep your kids from falling victim to peer pressure, give them skills to make healthy choices and learnresist peer pressure.
Also, talk to teens about what to do if they make a mistake. Sometimes children are afraid to seek help when making bad decisions. It's important that your teen feel safe coming to you when they have a problem. Show that you can listen without judging or overreacting, and instead find healthy ways to make amends and move on.
5 things teens are pressured to do by their peers
social media
Facebook,Instagram, ETwittercan be a great way for teens to connect, but social media can be problematic for many reasons. Social media can expose your teenCyber-Mobbing,slut-shaming, and much more.And although there are someBenefits of social media, there are also many risks.
Social media cannegative impact on friendshipsand changes themGone Adolescent Data. It can even affect your mental health.And no matter what precautions you take, teens are likely to be exposed to unpleasant people, harmful images, and sexual content online.
Help your teen learn how 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. Discover the latest apps, websites, and social media pages teens are using and take steps to keep them safe. You may also want to take action.Limit your teen's screen time.
How social media affects the teen brain
on screen violence
Teenagers witness some violent media every now and then. And it's not just TV, music and movies that portray violence. many of todayviolent video gamesdepicting bloody and disturbing scenesacts of aggression. In recent decades, studies have linked these violent images to a lack of violence.Empathyand even aggressive behavior.
Other studies have shown that the most important factor in determining how children interact with the media is how their parents think and act.This means that the more parents watch violence, the more likely they are to think their children agree to watch.
Pay attention to your teen's media use. Do not allow teens to watch R-rated movies or play banned video games. It is not healthy for them to consume this material in excess and without supervision.
Also, talk to your child about the dangers of being exposed to violent images and monitor their mental state. It's also important to talk about sexual situations and racial stereotypes that your teen might see.
Teenagers need to learn to recognize what is good and what is bad in the media. It helps them become healthier consumers when they can think objectively about what they see online, at the movies or in a video game.
How to talk to your teenager
Bringing up difficult topics with your teen can feel awkward. And your teen probably won't respond well to a long lecture or a lot of direct questions. But starting a conversation with your teen about social issues and other teen issues is nothing to avoid.
Even if you don't seem to be listening, you are the most influential person in your teen's life. It's important to establish a solid foundation before the window closes.
A great way to start a conversation about drugs, sex,Electronic cigarette, orother uncomfortable situationsis a question like "Do you think this is a big problem at your school?"
Listen to what your teen has to say. Try not to judge, but make your expectations and opinions clear. It is important that your child understands that you do not tolerate certain behaviors and that he knows this.Consequences of rule violations.