Today’s Kids Face Some Serious Challenges … Here’s How Parents Can Help

It’s never been easy to navigate those years between childhood and adulthood, but the pressure Generation Z feels these days has contributed to a spike in anxiety.

And that has left many parents concerned and uncertain about how they can help their kids handle the stress.

What the experts say

Psychologist Lisa Damour helped lead a study of 1,675 participants between the ages of 10 and 18 and developed a broad overview of the worries that this generation of preteens and teens are experiencing.

“We’re asking a lot of them academically,” she concluded. “They are trying to navigate a social media environment that can be very taxing for them.”

In addition to the present demands, Damour noted that “young people worry about big things, like their future,” as well.

In fact, the research found that roughly two in three of these young people said they are already worried about the world they will inherit as adults.

These negative emotions are most pronounced in girls and, regardless of gender, they become more apparent as kids enter their teenage years.

What their parents can do

There’s nothing we can do to eliminate the stress that comes during this period of life, but there are a few ways parents can help alleviate some of that anxiety.

• Set realistic goals: Many teens report feeling the need to achieve perfection, but kids who learn that it’s OK to make mistakes can often achieve healthier self-esteem.
• Really communicate: Parents might think their teens don’t want to hear from them, but offering a safe place to discuss desires, problems, or just everyday life can be a big help.
• Understand their emotions: This is a period of time fraught with mood swings, and kids respond well to parents who can help them navigate those big feelings.

Chris Agee August 28th, 2024

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