Life for teenagers has always been complicated. All adults have gone through those awkward years of clumsiness and confusion and every generation has had its own set of challenges. But why does it seem like we have entered an entirely new realm of depression, anxiety, and frustration?
Why does 1 in 4 teenagers between the age of 12 and 18 now have some sort of anxiety related condition? Why has self harm among teens, especially girls, risen to chronic levels unseen before? What has changed? Perhaps more importantly, what can we do about it?
First, let’s look at what has changed in the last ten years… The most obvious development is the nearly instant addition to our technological world, the smartphone and instant access to communication and information. What incredible pressure kids are now under… They need to be wired to their friends at all times, they need to be linked to groups of people by a multiple social network on what might be happening…. Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) has become a real stresso r in young people’s lives. This, in addition to the regular daily stresses of school expectations, peer pressure, family responsibilities, and other societal concerns is putting the pressure on the cork in the bottle of their pressure packed lives. What can we do? How can we come to the aid of these young people?
We must put in place innovative strategies that create environments for these teens which prevents, or at least slows down the invasive elements that are altering this entire generation of I-Genners.