Being the parent of a teenager is one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever had. But in my moments of parental frustration, I remind myself that being a teenager is also an extremely difficult chapter of life – a time marked by peer pressure, bullying, social anxiety, awkwardness and acne (ugh).
And I grew up during the 1980s, when the toxic impact of social media wasn’t even a thing.
Teenagers have a lot to contend with, and experts say many of the challenges they face can significantly harm their happiness and wellbeing.
“Adolescence is a developmental period in which young people are trying to answer the question, ‘Who am I?’”Michael Wetter, founder and owner of Wetter Psychological Services, told HuffPost.
“A bad grade, a social rejection, a breakup, or not getting into a desired school can feel less like disappointment and more like proof that something is wrong with them. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, perfectionism, shame, avoidance, depression and chronic self-criticism.”
English (US)