7 Growing Trends Among Tweens and Teens
There are growing trends among tweens and teens that mark a shift in behaviors regarding everything from sleepovers and social activism to driving and attending college. Here are some growing trends that are currently happening among American families.
Sleep-Unders
Also known as a “lateover,” sleep-unders are parties where children, tweens, or teens are invited to a friend’s house for slumber party activities but picked up by their parents before bedtime. For parents with safety concerns or busy schedules, the option can be a great alternative to an overnight stay. Likewise, for tweens or teens with separation anxiety, sleep issues, or concerns about being “too old” for sleepovers, a sleep-under can provide the perfect compromise.
Shifting Priorities for Learner’s Permits and Driver’s Licenses
For many Gen X and Millennial parents, getting a permit or driver’s license was an exciting right of passage that represented freedom, independence, and a step toward adulthood. But recent surveys have found that fewer teens are driving (or even interested in driving) due to a combination of factors. These reasons range from higher costs (insurance, gas, vehicle purchase), increased access to ride-sharing services, prioritized online interaction, environmental impact, and access to delivery services for goods.
Lower Standardized Scores
Although tweens and teens have experienced significant declines in both reading and math scores on standardized tests over the last decade, the Covid-19 pandemic created the largest declines ever recorded. Average scores for 13-year-olds, for example, declined 4 points in reading and 9 points in math. The latter of which marks the single largest decline observed in the last half-century.
Read More: Study Skills & Test Prep Help at LearningRx >>
Mental Health Openness
Kudos to Gen Z for working to destigmatize talking about mental health and seeking therapy and/or medications. Younger generations are facing a growing list of factors contributing to anxiety and depression. From social isolation, poverty, and school shootings to the loss of rights, political division, and climate anxiety, today’s teens and tweens have direct access to so much information about alarming issues. Time will tell, but hopefully this openness will result in healthier handling of stress and mental health concerns before individuals reach a crisis.
Increased Social Activism
Gen Z often gets labeled as being “woke” but the term is anything but derogatory to those who are awake to the social and political issues affecting them. Today’s tweens and teens aren’t just more engaged in important issues because they have access to 24/7 media. They’re also the most diverse generation in terms of race, ethnicity, and sexuality, creating a built-in stance on many of today’s most emotionally charged issues. And because most will be facing economic insecurity, gun violence, and the effects of climate change (among other concerns), they’ve been highly engaging in issues that affect their futures.
Vaping
By the end of 2024, vapes (aka “e-cigarettes”) were the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth. These include 3.5% of middle schoolers and 7.8% of high school students. Among both cohorts who currently use a tobacco product, 1 in 3 use more than one type of product (e.g., cigarettes or cigars). It’s a scary trend among adults too, but the concern is greater for tweens and teens who vape due its harmful effects on the developing brain.
Decreased Interest in Higher Education
A Gallup poll found that less than half of Gen Z teens (49%) say they’d like to attend college full-time after school. When including those who’d like to attend college part-time while working, that number rises to 74%. Contrast this with the fact that 83% of Gen Z view a college education as “very” or “fairly” important, and it’s easy to understand that the main factors are college cost and financial pressures to earn an income sooner.
While many of these growing trends among tweens and teens are societal issues will require action at the national level to create lasting changes, there are things parents can do to help support their tweens and teens. Fostering a space for open communication with respect, empathy, and active listening will go much further in supporting your child than restrictive rules and punishments. Likewise, being open to your tween or teen’s feelings, rationale, and concerns (whether real or perceived) may provide some room for you to brainstorm solutions.
Looking for Help Navigating Many of the Issues Your Teens Are Facing?
Check out this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast where cognitive psychologist, counselor, and parenting coach Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis explore some of the hot topic issues facing you in this stage!
