Probably more than any other age group, all teenagers feel the basic emotional satisfaction in being able to fit in socially with their peers.  The need to “fit in” was a part of the development and growing process back when I was a teenager in the early to mid 1970′s.  Unfortunately, with what is going on in the world today, another problem has become quite evident.  Social anxiety in teenagers has become a disturbing trend with many youth in our world.

So just what is the difference between growing up as a teenager today, compared to how it was 35 years ago?  Simply take a look at what has gone on in the world since the early 1990′s as there you will find part of your answer.  Involving the United States, there have been conflicts in Afghanistan, and two wars in the Middle East.  We have seen natural disasters involving hurricanes and tornadoes which have left hundreds of thousands homeless. Not just in America, but there has been a global economic turndown not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930′s.  In addition there were the catastrophic events of 9/11.

All of the negativity at present within our world has affected a vast percentage of adults today.  Emotional disorders involving anxiety, stress, depression, and outright anger has statistically affected more adults than at any other point in history.  Would it be considered such a stretch to assume that teenagers in our society have been affected as well with what has been going on globally?

Statistically, 67% of all marriages end up in divorce.  In many homes, a single parent raises kids.  Many single parents do an outstanding job serving as role models for today’s youth.  However, that is not always the case.  Teenagers who may lack the presence of a father or mother figure in the family often suffer emotionally.  13-15 year old kids may want to believe that they are ready to become less dependent on their parents, (or in many instances a parent). But, these young teenagers are often too immature to make the right decisions for their own selves. If a father or mother figure is not around to provide wise guidance, then that can be a recipe for kids that age to make unhealthy and wrong choices.

Teenagers want to be liked by their peers.  The need to fit in and be accepted by peers often forces teenagers to try and get involved with a particular group of friends.  Back when I was in a teenager, you generally had your “cliques” involving the athletes, the kids with the brains, and those who just looked to get by in school. Today, it is much more complicated.  With the presence of gangs now in many schools and towns across America, teenagers often consider the option of joining such negative groups all with the idea of being accepted by others.

We also live in the electronic age of communication involving Blackberry’s and I-Phones.  Sadly, the notion of talking to someone face-to-face has been replaced by text messaging and voice mail.  There are social networking outlets on the Internet which involve Face Book, You Tube, Twitter, and My Space. A person’s private and personal information can be put on the Internet, even without his/her consent.  Within milliseconds this information can be read by any individual across the world that has online access.  Without hesitation, a person lacking in moral scruples will go out of his/her way to denigrate another human being.

Teenagers, feeling the need to be accepted spend a majority of their free time online at these social networking sites.  These kids want to hear the latest gossip that is going on within their schools.  They want to communicate with their friends outside of the school setting.  Sadly, kids will pick on those amongst their peers who they view as being different or outcasts.  Sending a text message which humiliates a fellow teenager or posting degrading thoughts on Face Book about an individual who does not “fit in” has the capabilities of spreading like wildfire because of today’s technology.  

Another study has proven that children of those parents who serve in the Armed Forces over in the Middle East and Afghanistan for extended periods of time have also been diagnosed with stress, anxiety, or even severe depression.  Social anxiety amongst teenagers is at an all-time high.  There is one question that I wish to pose to parents and educators of our youth in this country.  What are you willing to do about it?

A parent or educator needs to get involved with a youth who is withdrawn and no longer socializes with his/her peers.  If the teenager expresses a high level of stress and anxiety over the subject of socializing with kids of his/her own age, an adult should not simply ignore the situation.  Get involved with the youth, even if he/she tells you that it is none of your business, (yes you probably know from experience that when upset teenagers can act disrespectfully towards an adult).  Seek immediate and professional counseling for this teenaged individual.  Do not back down or look the other way.  You do not want to be accusatory or confrontational towards this youth.  But, do not walk away either.  Show compassion and a heartfelt conviction to make this youth feel both wanted and loved, and that he/she is an important person in the lives of others.  This young individual needs to know immediately that others do care for him/her.

The absolute worst thing that any parent or educator could do would be in doing absolutely nothing!  Sadly, doing nothing for teenagers who obviously need help has proven to have tragic consequences.  Several teenagers recently committed suicide after being ridiculed via online social networks; sadly many adults chose to look the other way and not get involved in these cases.  This reluctance on the adults’ part by not actively helping troubled kids also played a part in what happened in the Columbine high school shooting tragedy back in 1999.  Those kids felt as if they were viewed as nothing but outcasts by their peers.  However instead of simply taking their own lives tragically, these troubled teenagers also chose to enact revenge by slaughtering the lives of many innocent individuals who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time that day.

Social anxiety amongst teenagers needs to be seriously addressed by adults.  If you happen to know of such a youth, seek to actively participate in helping this young individual.  There is an online site that addresses the need for helping youth who suffer from social anxiety.  I urge you to seek more information by visiting the site at:  http://curepanicattacks57.info.

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