Social issues encompass the complex challenges that impact large segments of society, ultimately influencing the overall functioning of a community. It’s important to recognize that teenagers, just like adults, grapple with these social issues.
In fact, adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to these difficulties due to their ongoing brain development and rapid physical changes.
The ramifications of these social problems, often labelled as “teenage woos,” extend to emotional and physical well-being.
A study conducted by the Pew Research Center, focusing on youths aged 13 to 17, identified anxiety and depression, bullying, as well as drug and alcohol use (and misuse), as major concerns.
Notably, teenagers today encounter more profound complexities in their interpersonal relationships, than
most adults.
The ubiquity of digital communication has fundamentally altered the dynamics of how adolescents engage with people. Consequently, many teenagers now find themselves deficient in critical interpersonal communication skills, such as the ability to decipher social cues effectively. This deficiency can be largely attributed to the excessive reliance on technology.
Astonishingly, the average teenager devotes more than nine hours daily to their electronic devices. Their patterns of social media engagement and media consumption have not only reshaped their modes of communication but also affected the way they approach social connections, academia, wellness, physical activity, amongst other aspects of their lives.
- Depression & Anxiety – Research suggests a striking seventy percent of teens acknowledged anxiety and depression as significant concerns within their peer group
Comprehensive data on the exact prevalence of anxiety disorders among teenagers remains somewhat elusive. Depression stands as a notable example of an issue affecting adolescents throughout history, albeit now receiving a welcome surge of public awareness in recent years.
- Bullying – Concerns related to personal safety weigh heavily on the minds of American teenagers. A notable 55% of teenagers identified bullying as a significant issue within their peer circles.
Despite the implementation of anti-bullying initiatives, this problem endures. The persistence of this issue can be attributed to the coexistence of young, vulnerable, and easily influenced individuals within a social environment where shared fears and anxieties prevail, creating a breeding ground for instances of bullying.
- Drug & Alcohol Use – In recent years, there has been a notable surge in daily marijuana consumption among senior high school students, surpassing the rates of cigarette usage.
Concurrently, the use of other illegal drugs has reached unprecedented lows, with ongoing studies indicating that since 2017, teenage engagement in illicit drug activities has reached an all-time nadir. Additionally, the consumption of alcohol and instances of binge drinking have both displayed a significant decline.