While teens today face many of the same challenges that teenagers have always dealt with, it’s safe to say that many common issues today’s teens face are new and evolving. Only a few short decades ago, the most common problems teens faced were starting a family and finding a career path. In fact, the word “teenager” wasn’t even invented until the 1920s. In today’s world, the teenage years are viewed as a distinct phase in one’s life, partially because of the distinct issues faced by teenagers across the U.S. and the rest of the world.
In particular, social media has magnified peer pressure and put individuals under a spotlight like never before. This constant comparison to others can lead to high-risk behaviors including drinking, “study drug” abuse, sexting, truancy, and more. We hope this guide will help you gain insight into some of the common issues that teens face today.
What are the most common issues facing teenagers today?
According to a new Pew Research Center survey of youth ages 13 to 17, some of the major problems that teens face today are mental issues, such as anxiety and depression, bullying, and drug and alcohol use and abuse.
Mental Health: Anxiety & Depression
Teen mental health remains one of the most critical concerns. According to a 2024 CDC youth behavior survey, more than 40% of U.S. high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and around 30% have experienced poor mental health in the past month. Rates are even higher among girls and LGBTQ+ youth.
Excessive screen time contributes to feelings of inadequacy and isolation. Teens now spend up to 9 hours daily online, exposing themselves to social comparison and pressure to present a flawless image. New terms like FOMO (fear of missing out) and doomscrolling reflect growing awareness of digital stressors.
Warning signs include isolation, sleep disruptions, irritability, and a drop in academic performance. Seek help from a mental health professional if symptoms persist. Our online prevention course Wellbeing 101 encourages students to recognize when they’re struggling and feel empowered to access your school’s counseling and wellness services early.
Bullying & Cyberbullying
Issues of personal safety are also on U.S. teens’ minds.
As of 2024, 1 in 5 students report being bullied on school property, and 15–20% of students report being cyberbullied, with higher rates among females and LGBTQ+ youth.
Feelings of insecurity and envy that result from the comparison can exacerbate cyberbullying. It is easy for perpetrators to hide behind the guise of an online profile and see little of the impact of their actions. This is one reason why cyberbullying is so intense: the bully doesn’t get the satisfaction of seeing his victim suffer in person, so they do extreme things to attain that feeling of satisfaction over the internet. The consequences of cyberbullying can be life-altering for a victim. Cyberbullying can spread like wildfire across social media, and because it’s online, it doesn’t end when the school day ends.
Sexting
The internet has made teens sexually vulnerable in a new way. The rise of social media has increased pressure to engage in sexting. Research shows that about 1 in 5 teens (ages 13–17) have sent or received sexually explicit images—a rate that remains stable but concerning.
Sexting is defined as sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or video via cell phone, computer, or any digital device. 22% of teen females and 20% of teen males have sent nude or semi-nude photos of themselves over the internet or using their cell phones. Data suggests that minors are now sharing explicit photos of themselves on the internet – and moreover, that they have less supervision while spending time online.
Many do it because they believe everyone else is doing it. Others don’t think anyone will spread the images that they are sending and receiving. Some teens simply don’t see any harm in it. But it’s important to know that most of these teenagers are unknowingly engaging in acts of child pornography, and it’s wise to advise your teen to not post explicit photos of themselves online.
There are several dangers to sexting:
- Sexting can contribute to cyberbullying if images end up in the wrong hands. And, if teens feel like they can’t tell anyone about the images, they may be blackmailed into sending more and more pictures.
- Sexting can be used to lure someone into sex trafficking by using the explicit images as blackmail. Make sure your teen is aware of these dangers.
- There can be legal consequences if teens are caught with inappropriate pictures of other young people, because it can be considered child pornography when teens are under 18.
Unfortunately, many teenagers don’t understand the lifelong consequences that sharing explicit photos can have on their lives.
Substance Use & Abuse
Vaping
Most teenagers have been warned about the dangers of cigarettes all of their lives, but not about vaping. Vaping is marketed as a “safe” and “trendy” alternative to smoking cigarettes. Teens see their peers vaping and want to fit in. And because they don’t see too many negative health effects at first, many teens continue to vape, not realizing the true consequences until after they are hooked.
Here are some indicators of use:
- Dealing with cravings or addiction, resulting in distracted and jittery behavior
- Having a hard time paying attention, learning new things, or communicating well
- Developing mood-related disorders, like unexplained depression, fear, or anxiety
- Excessive spending and/or money disappearing
- A decrease in normal activities or hanging out with his or her usual group of friends
- Lots of devices that look like USB drives, pens, and/or asthma inhalers
Marijuana Use
While cigarette use has decreased due to high-risk perception, teen marijuana use has increased because of a lowered risk perception. Marijuana is often marketed to teens as “all-natural” and “a great way to relax.” Because of this, teens don’t see much harm in using marijuana, especially as it becomes legal in more and more states across the country.
Additionally, some parents don’t see much harm in using marijuana, perhaps because they themselves used it when they were younger. However, it’s important to note that marijuana can be up to four times more potent today than it was twenty or thirty years ago.
Prescription Drug Abuse
Another challenge teens face today is the temptation to use prescription medications, including stimulants or “study drugs.” While many students are prescribed stimulants for ADHD or similar disorders, any use that is outside of their prescription is and should be considered abuse. Yet 1 in 5 high school students believe it is okay to misuse stimulants as long as the goal isn’t “to get high.”
Because of the increasing pressure to perform academically, teens reach for these drugs to increase their academic performance, even though studies show non-prescription stimulant users actually have lower grades than their non-using classmates. Additionally, using prescription drugs that aren’t prescribed to you is statistically correlated with heavy drinking and the use of other drugs such as marijuana.
It’s no longer just the “troubled” teens who are dropping out of school. Some teens feel so much pressure to get into a good college and perform well academically that they’re burning themselves out before they graduate from high school. Stay involved in your teen’s education. Provide support and guidance, and be ready to assist your teen if he or she encounters problems.
Underage Drinking
If a teen’s friends or those around them are drinking, it can be difficult for them to say “no.” And because teens are usually not well educated about the harms of alcohol use, it can be easy for them to abuse it. It is essential that teens understand why drinking is so dangerous, particularly for them and their mental development.
There are many reasons why early drinking is dangerous, including:
- Because the brain is still developing until about age 25, underage drinking can cause developmental problems later on.
- Research shows that drinking at a young age increases the likelihood of alcohol dependency later in life.
- Because teens are already at risk for making poor decisions, being inebriated enhances their chances of engaging in risky behaviors like drink driving, unprotected sex, or drug use.
- Mixing alcohol with drugs, especially study drugs or marijuana, can lead to life-threatening situations.
What You Can Do As Teachers and Educators
Talk Often
Start and maintain open conversations about mental health, relationships, substance use, and online behavior. Don’t wait for a serious issue—casual, regular check-ins help build trust and make it easier for teens to open up when it matters most.
Model Balance
Demonstrate healthy boundaries with technology—such as putting phones away during meals or limiting screen time before bed. When adults model mindful tech use, teens are more likely to follow suit. Encourage offline activities that build real-world connections and reduce digital overwhelm.
Watch for Signs
Be alert to behavioral or emotional shifts like withdrawal, mood swings, sleep disruptions, or declining grades. These can signal deeper issues like anxiety, depression, or substance use. Early prevention and intervention is key.
Create Safe Spaces
Ensure teens know they can share thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or punishment. A supportive environment—at home, in the classroom, or in your office—helps teens feel emotionally secure and more likely to seek help when needed.
Today’s teens are navigating an increasingly complex world shaped by digital influence, academic pressures, and evolving social challenges. From rising rates of anxiety and cyberbullying to the growing prevalence of vaping, sexting, and substance use, it’s clear that teens need informed, proactive support. By staying engaged, fostering open conversations, and utilizing tools like our prevention courses, families can empower teens to make safer, healthier choices and build the resilience they need to thrive.
