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Why do most teenagers find it so hard to talk to people their own age? It's not like they're going to get bitten or anything. Sometimes I think that stepping outside your comfort zone now and then is a good thing: meeting new people, seeing how they experience other realities, understanding that life isn't just what's right in front of you. Maybe, in one of those moments, you might even find someone who changes your life.
It's not bad to be cautious, but staying alone and calling yourself an outcast is worse. Of course, there are real reasons: bullying, experiences that made them feel inferior, fear of rejection. Even so, there are many people who genuinely want to get to know them, but fear or shame weighs more heavily. It only takes a few idiots to stop talking to them after ten minutes of conversation for everything to fall apart.
And yet, the foundation of any relationship starts with the simplest things: what's your favorite color, what do you do, where are you from, what things do you like? Simple conversations that sometimes stall because we don't know how to continue, or because we're afraid to send a message an hour after the last one was ours.
If our generation were more open and less afraid of being judged, it would be much easier to connect with other people and form real friendships. I don't follow everything I say here to the letter either: I also feel embarrassment and fear of others' judgment. But I haven't ruled out the possibility of finding someone like me, someone who enjoys telling me about their day, their adventures, or simply having a quiet chat about the weather. In the end, many times they're just silly thoughts we have.
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bee
Yea can relate to that. Some is fear of being judged or feared they are not good enough to fit in but lets not forget being a teen is going through hormonal change while also learning to gain exprience with life. But I can give 3 reasons or 4?
But for most of the time its the environment they live in. Third places are a beneficial factor when it comes to social space or community activities like book clubs, local bands, skate rink, bowling place, or arcades. Those attracts teens and young adults. Yet most in society or in towns, they not do exist anymore. Thats why they tend to come to social media to socialize instead. Because when you look closely there is only park or a playground. playground isnt bad but its only suitable for young children, so where do we place the teenagers?
Honestly third places starts declining when everything became convenient–Music store? theres one on ur phone; library? you can search it on google; need distractions and socialize? On ur phone look again. Its a turning shift for markets, wherever their consumer is they go there too. Its too hard so why bother trying where theres conveniency, thats also an unhealthy mindset and scary. Its also part from it when it comes to socials.
There is also this called the spotlight effect, wherein an individual thinks the whole world is watching them thinking they'll be judged, get bullied, or ruin their self image. Its not uncommon when a teen begin to be self conscious and be aware of their surroundings, cuz part of their brain decides to heightened their stress factors and that creates fight or flight mode whenever they perceived something odd. Not kidding about this, really. Theyre sensitive infant adults in womb. It can also be Normative Social influence as well where one individual blends in amomgst the group to fit in.
It can also be derived from childhood and their home place where it affects their development. Parents are the most important role for a teenager, teens rely on them, they learn from them on how they perceive the world or people from outside. So when a parent is coorperative and an active role in a child's life, this builds up confidence and self worth. Giving love, nurturing them really does help them. So when going out, they are assured they'll be fine, they got this, they can do that, do those, they know that they are worth it. Its like a videogame where you have to max out a stat so ur character can able to do a beat challenge or move onto next stage.
And lastly, it maybe highly unlikely but also happens in real world depends where you live. Crimes. Kidnappings, missing posters, strangers who you thought is friend but is actually luring you to their trap. You can never be safe these days even going out walking to school or home. Its also a reason why they dont go out. Because in home they are safe. Or parents forces them to stay in cuz of fear.
Yea cant believe i wrote this whole ahh essay, but hopes you understand and thank you for raising awareness. I squeezed out everybits of my braincell
VancesOpex
I'd say internet ismostly at fault, now that many prefer to share everything in their lives.
As for why teens are like that with others of their age, they don't have enough overlapping interests, speaking from experience. From my college group i only know and regularly talk to 2-3 people at best. Why? They're not interestinng to my and they are already in their own friend gropus with their own vibe that i feel i'd just not get into.