Pew Research Center Study Shows Teenagers’ Life Is Harder Than Ever

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at your kids and complained that their lives are harder than ever, well, they now have some real data to back up your claims.

In a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center, researchers asked 1,453 parents of teenagers whether they found it more difficult to be a teenager 20 years ago or today. 69% of parents surveyed believe today’s world is harder for teenagers. 44% of teens said the same.

The study examines many different aspects of adolescent life, such as social pressures, violence, the state of the world, and more. But the biggest reason parents think life is more difficult for teenagers now is social media, with 41% saying it is the biggest source of stress. Followed by overall technology, accounting for 26%.

Teens say internet is both priceless and an enabler

Being a teenager is never easy. Juggling hormonal changes, complex friend dynamics, and struggles with your own identity while living in a house with parents who may not share the same values ​​is a daunting task. However, the world looks a lot different now than it did twenty years ago—mostly because of the Internet.

Jeffrey Gottfried, associate director for research at the Pew Research Center and one of the researchers on the new study, told us parents It’s part of a series of studies researchers are conducting on teenagers’ adoption of technology.

“Teenagers are trailblazers when it comes to technology, new devices and online platforms,” he shared, making them an important research group.

Gottfried said it’s important to include teen voices in research. Along the way, several themes emerged about negative experiences, most of which were related to stress caused by technology and social media. Whether it’s “pressure to look a certain way, act a certain way, or present yourself in a certain way,” this was evident in the study.

One teenage girl who participated in the study summed up the feeling succinctly, telling the researchers: “Social media tells kids what to do and what to say. If you don’t try, you’ll look like a fool and you’ll Abandoned by many people.

Still, the Internet has its benefits. I mean, no one drives around with printed Mapquest instructions on their lap anymore. Kids can use Google to find answers to their questions in seconds or talk to grandparents around the world. Teens admit that in some ways, they do have it easier.

While Gottfried wasn’t surprised by the study’s results, teens actually believe technology makes life more difficult and Easier is a point of interest that might show how ingrained the use of technology is in their lives – for better or for worse. While answers were divided, the overall sentiment among teens is that they believe technology has made their lives more difficult.

Social media is a psychological battlefield

Looking at my own children’s relationship with social media, it does seem to make conflict more difficult and certainly more protracted. If friends are having an argument or falling out, cyberattacks may seem to perpetuate the problem. Conflict no longer exists only in schools, sports fields or shopping malls. As online interactions become more common, teens who have conflicts with others may feel that there is no real safe space to relieve themselves.

Some studies have even pointed to the prevalence of cyberbullying as a culprit in high suicide rates and a mental health crisis among youth.

Susanna Park, public health expert at health app Skylight parents Cyberbullying is rampant, with 46% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 saying they have experienced cyberbullying.

“This is a public health issue because victims of cyberbullying are nearly more likely to report psychosomatic illnesses (physical illnesses caused or worsened by psychological factors such as stress and anxiety) than victims who have never experienced cyberbullying. 2.5 times,” Park explained.

Titania Jordan, Author Parenting in a technological world The chief parent officer at Bark, a resource designed to help protect children online, agrees, saying cruel online behavior occurs because children are in “a world that hides behind a veil of anonymity online.” grown up and generally accepted”.

But the consequences of dealing with something online — even though it may feel small at the time — are actually huge, especially for teens, Jordan explains, who are already dealing with difficult transitions and insecurities.

Jordan doesn’t think teenagers will necessarily become mean online, but rather that social media is designed to promote such behavior.

“Additionally, the nature of social media and group messaging makes it easy to be excluded (close friends lists, kicked out of groups, followed and unfollowed),” she said. “At this stage we have basically created a mature environment for cyberbullying.

Choose and start the online battle

While it’s almost impossible for today’s teens to avoid the Internet, Jordan says there are ways to help them escape the pitfalls that have a negative impact on their lives. First, remember that since many children are exposed to social media at a young age, there’s no harm in setting the pace for your own children.

She also recommends making your children aware that everything that happens online can be saved, screenshotted or shared, and it’s important to use caution. The impact of cyberbullying also doesn’t get enough attention. She recommends watching Childhood 2.0, a documentary about how children and teenagers cope with the challenging digital age, and even sharing it with your kids.

Park points to positive technology use, such as downloading mental health and wellness apps like Skylight, which are designed to help teens relax, practice self-care, and even tune into their spiritual side.

“Of the 11,915 people who use digital health apps, more than half of Gen Z (55%) said they have found these apps. This means they are actively looking for solutions to their own well-being,” Parker added.

As the social media landscape continues to change, we continue to understand its impact on society and our children. At the very least, as parents, we need to empathize with the struggles our children face that we may not share.