Top Distractions for Teens

Today̵7;s teens have a constant barrage of input coming at them. Gone are the days when they interacted with friends mostly at school, replaced now by an era of never fully disconnecting. These teenagers have been learning the art of multi-tasking from a young age and can likely maneuver your electronics better than you can. They are skilled at talking on the phone while playing the latest video game, yet many of the distractions they are exposed to threaten to pull them away from schoolwork and family time.

  1. Electronics

    • In April of 2013, CNN reported on a Bridgestone study that revealed that 95 percent of teen respondents admitted to using their cellphones while driving. Despite anti-distracted-driving campaigns that seemed to have been making a difference, teens still appear to be incapable of shutting down their electronics. Difficulties limiting screen time are even more common now that the Internet is widely available on most phones. The increasing popularity of iPads, MP3 players and enhanced gaming systems promises enticing distractions from daily responsibilities.

    Social Media

    • A teen typing away on her computer is not necessarily working on homework. A Pew Internet Report released in 2011 found that 80 percent of teenagers use social media, with 93 percent of those maintaining a Facebook account. Today the options are limitless, with Twitter and Pinterest quickly gaining popularity. More companies are beginning to take notice of social media, and being savvy will be an advantage to future job applicants. However, a teen needs reminders about the permanence of what she puts on the Internet, as well as the occasional assistance unplugging and engaging in face-to-face interactions.

    Friendships

    • To most teenagers, the world revolves around their friendships. Upon entering middle school, cliques begin to form and social status is defined. None of this is concrete, however, and teenage friendships are typically filled with angst, peer pressure and evolving dynamics. Best friends today may be enemies tomorrow. It is not uncommon for teenagers to become swept up in the latest drama, rendered incapable of focusing on anything else.

    Romantic Relationships

    • As teens begin dating, who is seeing whom can quickly become the most important news of the day. Exploring romantic relationships is a coming-of-age tradition, but crushes, first kisses and breakups all threaten to monopolize a teenager̵7;s attention span. Assisted by newly raging hormones, a teenager has a hard time focusing on much else when entering into those first real relationships. Down the line, in most cases a teen is also susceptible to the distractions provided by his first heartbreak.

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