Teens ages 13-18--What do you think are the biggest issues facing teens today?
99213
I would say that one of the big issues is sexuality.  Everywhere you look there are protests and news about gay marriage and in my opinion I think it will be hard for young people in this age group to understand what is going on and what is right and what is wrong.
319788
Temptation and the modern teen.
1114239
im probably a little young for this question... but i miss being 15-16, when i was still in high school. those were the days. times u could waste without worrying too much about the consequences.
29861
I can honestly say as an adult that I don't think ALL teens are loud, rude and ignorant. The problem is the few that are, give teens a bum reputation.
172014
Aside from the pubertty/hormones issue, another reason is that kids of that age lack perspective. They aren't old enough to recognize that whatever may be bothering them today may sort itself out tomorrow, that today's must-have item is oldschool tomorrow.
88389
Teenage Drinking has been a problem since the begining of the production of alcholic beverages.\n\nIt is considered a rite of passage to consume alcohol. Our social mores consider "drinking" a rite of passage.  Peer pressure, media, and the acceptance sitgma that it's OK to Drink are all around us.\n\nThe problem will only be solved with Education, and a society that frounds upon the problem. A control over the Media and advertisment will also be needed.  Much Like the ban on smoking, a campaign is needed to reach this eventual goal.  Smoking negative media, and the ban on certain advertisement had reduced some of the smoking is cool attitude.  The same needs to be applied to the alcohol industry.  Or are all the cool Ads from the Superbowl, budweiser etc, continue to influence our social attitudes toward drinking in general?
635410
I think there are alot of teenagers here, but what can you do? It's not that annoying. You have to learn to live with the next generation because they're going to take power from you someday.
566817
I drive a School Bus and for the past 9 years I have dealt with many, many 16 year olds.\nMost of them are not capable of riding on a school bus much less having a license to drive a car.\nThe majority of them are nice kids, but too immature to have such a responsibility such as driving a car.\n As for 18, well, most have matured enough for getting a license. There should (if not already) be some restrictions though. I just wish they all could somehow know magically the dangers that are out there and how they have to pay attention constantly while driving and always be on the defense for other drivers and that speed can kill themselves and others.
972413
--> Teenagers today have it slightly easier in our current world because of society's slowly accepting ways; this is responsible for ____ occurring, in my opinion.
207189
Whoa, that last part about being 13 threw me off!  I dont want to nag you about your age or anything, but 13 is WAY too young to be going through ALL that drama. Trust me. Half of the stuff you worry about now won't matter a year from now, even a week from now. Also think about if he is even worth all the drama you're putting yourself through.
753098
More young people need to get involved in the whole campaign, voting process.  I really believe the focus should be to address internal local issues, like education and drugs.  Two areas that definitely impact America's youth.
234458
Many teenagers will have some experience with alcohol and other drugs. In fact, drug use among adolescents is much more common than parents realize. About one in six persons between the ages of 13 to 17 years old has used marijuana. Nearly two-thirds of all American young people try an illegal drug before they finish high school. Alcohol and nicotine (in cigarettes) are the most commonly used drugs by teenagers. Teenagers who smoke and drink during their early teens are the ones most likely to begin to use other illegal drugs later.\n\nTeens will often experiment with drugs once or twice and stop. Some will continue to use occasionally without experiencing any real problems. But some teens will use drugs on a regular basis, even to the point of becoming addicted. Some teenagers do "grow out" of their drug use. But it's impossible to tell which teenagers will and which won't. Yet just telling kids to say "no" doesn't work.\n\nPrevention programs offer some hope in delaying or stopping teenage drug use. Certainly, the best prevention is a warm and secure family environment. Parents who show their children by example and who refrain from using drugs themselves have the best chance of raising a drug-free child. \n\nEarly detection of drug problems in teenagers is necessary so that the teen can get early treatment. Treatment helps teens develop new ways of coping with problems. Many teens use alcohol and other drugs to cover up their feelings. Also, teens who have developed a serious drug or alcohol problem need to learn to have fun with friends without using drugs and alcohol. \n\nThese are specific behaviors to watch out for: \n* missing school or cutting classes,\n* a drop in grades,\n* getting into fights or severe conflict with parents,\n* hanging out with a new, possibly older, crowd of friends,\n* depression, confusion, mood swings,\n* isolating self in room,\n* getting in trouble at school or with the law,\n* changes in likes and dislikes to more unconventional style (music and clothing) ,\n* a significant weight gain or loss, and\n* red or glassy eyes, extreme fatigue and poor health.
1063785
I'm an older girl.....34....but am VERY curious about how teens deal with being gay/lesbian. I didn't come out until 2 yrs ago and didn't have to go through all the hard stuff as a kid/teen. How do you handle the dating scene? I can't imagine it. I'd have been scared to death to ask someone out for fear they'd 1) reject me and then 2) cause me no end of hell in school for it. Would love to know your thoughts on this! Send me a message if you'd like to share!     :- )
386173
OMG!  How did you get through high school?  Teens have been bullies for YEARS!!!  All kidding aside, just think of Columbine and the effects of ridicule are just the tip of the iceberg.
171793
so many blogs/forums..cant say all are good or bad.\n\nthese teens need to get off the comp and go play outside. Frisbee or basketball, something!! they need to develop themselves outside of the regular teen dramas of "he said--she said....im fat/skinny/ugly.." etc.\n\nalso , parents should be aware what their teens are doing..heres a link of an honor student that succumbed to internet porn and is now in danger of being killed...and his mother is a teen counselor and never saw this coming
560009
I'm a teenager and I think it is fun and challenging at the same time. I go under a lot of stress but I tend to consider my feelings more than other's sometimes.\n\n Like, sometimes I'll think everyone is treating me so unfair when I actually deserve how they're treating me. Also, there's so many things to deal with like: hormones, homework, after school activities, family, etc. Sometimes I just feel like blowing up! Also, I don't like when people make stereotypes like: "Those teenagers are rebellious", we're just unique individuals exploring life! Anotherthing that I don't like is feeling like I'm caught between being a kid and an adult, and most people want us to act like adults and we're not! \n\nBut, along with all these stressful things, there comes rewards such as: hanging out with friends, meeting new friends, and having new experiences. Like, last year, I met two really good friends and we have been getting together to watch movies on some Friday's and recentley I was in a play and that was a fun (and challenging) experience.\n\nSo, all in all, being a teenager is just like any other stage of life, interesting and unique!
272503
yes, i agree with you times are definatly changing with the what they see on TV to what they see, hear about, and maybe even do in school...not to mention the responsibilty's that this time and age entale it could be that they are taking care of themselves and/or siblings or the very "grown-up" situations that they have to face everyday also good parenting of i guess our times could be a source for change not wanting their kids to grow up like they did, and alot of teens are taking a stand on what they believe whether it's moral or religious and such i guess the list could go on and on but don't get me wrong there are still alot of kids/teens that still act their age or less lol but the good in alot of ways out ways the bad