Adulting: Becoming a Role Model for Today's Youth

In this day and age, many teenagers have found themselves having been born into a technological era that most older generation U.S. Americans did not experience when they were teenagers themselves. Some of today's eldest citizens were around long before radio and television even became a part of US American culture. Despite not having experienced the risks and rewards of technology as youth, many of today's adults, from the eldest Baby Boomers to the youngest Millennials, have come to understand how impactful technology is to their livelihoods and even to their own mental health. For today's youth, technology and social media are intertwined with their everyday lives. Though technology and social media can provide convenience, comfort and safety, it can also provide the exact opposite of each of those things (inconvenience, discomfort and danger), and when technology exposes such dangers to our most emotionally vulnerable population, our youth become more at risk of harming themselves or others.

Research has shown that young adults who use social media are three times as likely to suffer from depression—putting a large portion of the population at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In the U.S., suicide rates have declined slightly since 2019, but it continues to be a serious concern among the younger generations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of suicides in females aged 15-24 increased 87 percent over the past 20 years. And among males aged 15-24, the number of suicides rose by 30 percent over that same time period.

Knowing this information, what can adults do to better understand social media and its uses? Most adults are able to handle the pressures that come with the use of social media. Teen adolescents, however, are still in their mentally and emotionally developmental stages, thus, many of them will react differently to what they see, hear and read than an adult. For those who grew up with technology-free childhoods, it would fair to say that they could not possibly fathom what life would have been like had social media existed during their time as youth. So many stories would be changed, many new ones told. History would have changed more so, perhaps for the better or perhaps for the worst. Despite what could have been, the fact of the matter is that in today's modern era, technology is available to everyone regardless of age, which in some ways connects all of the various generations. This connection plays a crucial role in how we can engage with today's youth.

Teens of today will never understand what it was like to grow up in a smartphone-less, social media-free era, but to punish them for having what previous generations did not have at their age is unnecessary. Instead, adults, especially those who believe in being pro-life, should be willing to take on a certain level of responsibility to look out for today's youth more so than ever. To do so, adults must be willing to respectfully communicate and listen to adolescents and their ideas and concerns. Since we know how dangerous the world has become with social media having helped influence higher sentiments of hatred, and promoted violence, it is important for adults to know what to teach as leaders and influencers. Find ways to reach out to them the best way possible and be patient when you do. Teach them that it is not uncool to care for others. Doing volunteer work with them is a great example of how to teach them on how to display compassion. Teach the youth of today a new type of responsibility when it comes to technology and social media by having them learn to take time to live a life outside of their electronic devices. Find out what hobbies they are into and help them engage with their creativity. Helping teens keep mentally and physically stimulated could help many of those teens who struggle from depression and anxiety. If all else fails, seek professional help. There is no shame in doing so. Getting the proper treatment for depression is very important, as it can lead to long-term recovery. According to the Mental Health Administration, about 60% of teens with major depression did not receive treatment from 2017–2018. This leaves them at risk for long-term consequences.

Adults, it is time to evaluate and uncover where our youth are being failed. They are not the scapegoat for political and social problems. There really is nobody to blame but the adults. Today's youth need more role models, leaders and positive influencers. It is time to start adulting where it matters most. When there is a myriad of resources of information at our fingertips on knowing how to help others, there is just no longer any excuse (except sheer willful ignorance) to not help today's youth find hope again. Today's youth need inspiration beyond what they see is failing them - grown, self-entitled adults going wild and becoming violent for whatever reasons. The newer generations of this country will always be the future of this country, so adults should start by setting a better example. Adults should always be willing to support our youth by making sure that they vote for leaders who will enact policies that will ensure the youth of this country are housed, well-fed, well-educated and provided the best healthcare. Most importantly today's youth need a support system within their homes and schools that will let them know that they are always going to be cared for and supported. After all, it takes a village.

Here is to today's youth, and to the adults who will provide them with the hope and inspiration that they will need to help them lead this country into the best direction possible!

All adults were once teens.