Teens today face different issues than their parents dealt with. Some issues are the same, including peer pressure, alcohol and drug use and sexuality, but due to changes in technology, teens today also face cyber-bullying, "sexting" and social media scandals. Parents and teachers need to be aware of issues that adolescents face in order to help to prevent serious problems.
Bullying
No matter when you grew up, some teens bullied other teens. But, most of the time, the teens that were being bullied could get away from it when they got home. Now, teens can write mean things about other teens on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. They can also send each other nasty emails and text messages. Teens Health reports that bullying makes some teens afraid to go to school. Now, it also makes teens afraid to check their email and cell phone messages.
Peer Pressure
Teens struggle to fit in, figure out who they really are and how to make decisions that go against what their friends are doing. Even though many teens joke about peer pressure, teens are influenced by what their friends say, do and wear. When a teen has positive role models and friends, this can be a good thing, but when an adolescent's closest group of friends uses alcohol and drugs, has unprotected sex and makes other risky decisions, it can be extremely harmful.
Sexuality
Many adults remember what it was like to be a teenager. Their hormones are surging and they're developing romantic feelings for others. Many teens are faced with the decision of whether they should or shouldn't have sex. Now, some teen girls feel pressure to put naked pictures of themselves on social media sites. Some girls send these pictures through text messages, a practice now known as sexting. MayoClinic.com recommends that parents discuss abstinence and contraception with their children.
Weight
Teen obesity rates in America are on the rise, reports MayoClinic.com. Many teens struggle with unhealthy eating habits and need more information about healthful eating and exercise. Some teens become self-conscious about their bodies, even if they're at a healthy weight. This can lead to eating disorders, depression and low self-esteem.
Alcohol and Drug Use
MayoClinic.com reports that many teens experiment with alcohol and drugs. However, there is a significant difference between experimenting and abusing alcohol and drugs. Even experimenting with drugs can turn dangerous, but teens put their health and lives at risk when they abuse these substances. Alcohol and drug abuse can lead to mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, and issues in school.
