Wide Open Spaces — Cultivating the Future Terrain for Teens — The Week That Was.
Volume #2, Edition #8 (first of two articles on the theme)
Lead Editor: Geeta Dhir and supported by deputy editor Sean Moffitt and submissions from the full Grey Swan Guild Wrap Newsdesk and Editorial Team. The Wrap is an example of stuff we do at The Grey Swan Guild.
This edition is special as it deals with one of our most valued stakeholders — teens, the champions, minds and change agents of tomorrow. It also serves as a soft launch to one of our ventures — “Futuregazing” — making sense of the world, for teens, by teens. Read on.
Wide Open Spaces — Cultivating the future terrain for teens (Or teens looking forwards not backwards)
Teens and transitions go hand in hand, as they walk along the path from the present to the future and from adolescence to adulthood…… realising that it is a journey that has many possible routes and destinations…… Geeta Dhir
Scenario:
Adult to Teen (as Teen is about to go out with friends): Remember to make good choices.
Teen to Self: Good choices? What makes a good choice? How will I know that it’s a good choice? What will my friends say about my choice? Will I be made fun of because of my choice? Will I lose a friend because of my choice? Will I be unpopular because of my choice? Will I be cancelled because of my choice? There are so many choices…. Which one is the best choice?
What if my choice turns out to be the wrong choice ? Do I really have a choice ? Arghh…this is soooo hard, my head hurts…..It’s probably easier to go back to bed and listen to my music……..(Sighs).
The world for teens is littered with options and new experiences….. and making sense of these experiences, whilst trying to cope with a whole load of personal changes, as well as navigate a way forward in this messy, complicated world, can be quite a task for anyone, let alone a teenager…..Furthermore, those options and experiences will differ from teen-to-teen, depending on where in the world they are and the expectations there are of them, according to the prevailing culture and context.
We only need to look back to the 18th and 19th centuries to learn that there were many teens who became factory workers, in response to industrialisation. In the late 1800s, teens in the US, for example, would be contributing to the family income. It was also a time when there was no universal schooling. The term ‘teenager’ became more common in the late 1940s and 1950s. Richard Fisher (February 2022) in his article explains that compulsory schooling in the UK & US became a feature of life in these countries. Alongside this, societal attitudes in a number of Western countries shifted from young people having a duty to serve their parents to increasing attention being given to their own wishes and values.
Fisher also mentions the work of the Psychologist Jean Twenge, (San Diego State University), who explains that teens are growing up more slowly. In reference to the teens in the Western part of the world, where there are likely to be better healthcare systems, infrastructure, facilities and the provision of compulsory education, Twenge posits that people usually choose to have fewer children and focus on nurturing them more. Coupled with research that now explains that brain development in young people continues until their mid-20s and possibly even late-20s, results in teens taking and perhaps being allowed to take, a slower pace in the transition to adulting.
The pre-25 year period has been referred to, by some researchers, as ‘prolonged adolescence’. This period of ‘prolonged adolescence’ however, is not without its challenges. Just a casual search on the internet brings up the following issues that are from sources across the web and are characteristically problems encountered by teens:
- School bullying
- Depression
- Mental health
- Peer pressure
- Cyber bullying
- Anxiety and depression
- On screen violence
- Violence at home
- Cyber addiction
- Sex promiscuity and self-esteem
- Drugs and alcohol abuse
A specific region of the brain called the amygdala, has been identified as being responsible for immediate reactions, including fear and aggressive behaviour — this region develops early. Whilst the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps us to think before we act, develops later. This part of the brain is still changing and maturing well into adulthood.With this in mind, it is not surprising that adolescents show a heightened propensity to take risks and thus have difficulties in the above areas. In addition, research such as that by Lisa Knoll et al, who looked at social influence on risk perception and found that the 12–14 age range were more influenced by people their own age than adults, adds to the risk taking behaviour. So, the stage of brain development and the social context of being with peers, makes risk taking an even greater probability.
If we take a more global perspective, the problems look much graver. According to the President of the Executive Board, UNICEF for 2022, child poverty has increased significantly for the first time in several decades. This means that 100 million more children are being deprived of their basic needs such as health, education and nutrition.
When it comes to focussing more specifically on adolescent and young adult health, the World Health Organisation’s key facts state, in January 2021:
- Over 1.5 million adolescents and young adults aged 10 to 24 years died in 2019, nearly 5,000 everyday injuries
- Injuries including road traffic injuries and drowning, violence, self harm and maternal conditions are the leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults
- Half of all mental health disorders in adults start by the age 14, but most cases are undetected and untreated
- Early onset of substance use is associated with higher risks of developing dependence and other problems during adult life and people of younger ages are disproportionately affected by substance use compared with people of older ages
- Globally there are 43 births per 1000 girls aged 15 to 19 years per year
- Young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years have the lowest risk of death of all age groups
It would appear the health challenges of a teen are manyfold and omnipresent.
Then we come to the Covid19 pandemic ... well, where do we start ? Almost two years into the pandemic and we are beginning to get some idea of it’s impact on young people, that is, in the short term….. We have yet to discover the long-term impact on teens based on: school closures, not being able to socialise face to face with their peers as well as experiencing and feeling losses of all types. If we take a more global perspective, UNICEF reports there has been an increased risk of child marriage, child labour and violence.
Amongst all of this, how can we (adults) expect our teens to have any hope for the future ? When the present is so full of problems, difficulties and risks, all set within a terrain of VUCA (i.e. volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity), what can the teens of today actually do ?
- How can they make sense of what is currently happening in their lives and in the world around them ?
- What questions do teens need to be asking of themselves and of others, in order to construct an informed perspective of reality
- How empowered do teens feel able in order to do something pro-active and constructive about their futures ?
- Do teens feel that they have an internal or external locus of control (this is the extent to which people feel they have control over the events that appear to influence their lives), when it comes to what happens to them and consequently, what they feel able to do ?
- Above all, how can teens feel hopeful about the future, so that they can begin to create that desired future ?
Back to the scenario:
Teen to adult (after much internal angst): Right now, I am choosing to wear my favourite clothes, choosing to take my mobile phone with me, choosing to go out with my friends and choosing to walk to the meet-up venue with one of my friends…..So, my choice-making-machine is already in action mode….The rest….time will tell….
Time will, indeed tell….but for the present, in order to begin answering the questions above, let’s start with a look at the current terrain for teens, by examining some of the news over the last couple of weeks through a lens of what is ‘great’, ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘ugly’ and ‘uncertain’, with a specially added section on ‘the future’:
The Great 🤗
1. Was it just a ‘blip’ ?
In a UK, Department for Education, State of the Nation 2021 Research Report on children and young people’s well-being published in February 2022, the report shows that children and young people’s average subjective well-being is showing signs of recovery and gradually improving, following small average reductions in 2020.
Similarly, a ‘blip’ in 2020, followed by a rebound in 2021 were also seen in the areas concerning happiness with friends, time use and choice — which are all areas that were likely to have been affected by the restrictions applied during the course of the pandemic, on personal and social behaviour.This, however, does not mean that other challenges (such as mental health) do not exist, as they do and will be highlighted later in this wrap.
2. Innovation through difficult times…
For insight into innovation through these challenging times, a sixteen year old Indian-American student shares perspectives on how education can evolve to inspire students to be more innovative and entrepreneurial. An example of this is where virtual study rooms were created and hosted by platforms like Study Together, StudyStream and StudyGang on Discord, Zoom and often students’ own websites, for them to study in silence
3. Becoming empowered to promote a better future..
We turn to South Australia to see a teen parliament being given a place at the political table where they can share ideas on how to boost the economy, education and how to empower women as well as how to become a more inclusive society. This is an initiative by The Advertiser which also shows how the media can have a positive role in building a better place to live in.
The Good 😇
1. Dealing with the ‘other pandemic’
A reported increase in mental health difficulties has been termed as the ‘other pandemic’ when talking about the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic. Sadly, there are many reports of teens’ mental health deteriorating over the last couple of years in the media.
A study from Indonesia uncovered that teens had an increased risk of experiencing mental health such as psychological distress, worry, loneliness, anxiety, depression, traumatic symptoms, suicide risk, sleep disorders and psychosocial functioning. The UK has not been immune to this pattern and as a response, researchers in Yorkshire are looking to find out how effective activities such as music, exercise or caring for a pet can combat depression in young people. The 5 year, large scale, randomised, controlled trial research programme will develop, implement and evaluate a treatment called ‘Behavioural Activation’, which is based on one key principle:
‘That enjoyable, purposeful and meaningful activities can lift our mood, energise us and stimulate our interest and pleasure in day-to-day life, so that people can again experience the emotional rewards of pleasure and achievement that are lost during depression.’ We look forward to hearing the outcomes of this research.
Another, more immediate and currently popular way of improving mental health is said to come from playing Wordle. It is a word game that can be played by anyone, which of course includes teens and can be played on mobile apps. The article from The Times of India states that playing games like Wordle daily will sharpen the brain and will condition it to find new words. It is also reported that ‘Many experts have also said that Wordle is effective in reducing sorrow and depression in a person’.Happy Wordling everyone….
2. Co-designing — the way forward
Another creative initiative that has been involving young people as a central part, is a UK initiative led by a group of architects, teachers and designers who collaborate with young people to create better spaces to live in, such as community centres, housing estates and public spaces.The young people provide the creativity and ideas, whilst the architects provide the guidance and skills.
“There’s a limited number of spaces where teenagers feel at home. Public spaces like parks, are usually designed with children in mind. Pubs are for adults. But everyone craves an informal space where they can unwind.”
It sounds like a great combination and perhaps one that other industries could follow.
3. Diversity in voice
In the western part of the world, during the pandemic, many would have heard and also have been impacted by the Black Lives Matter movement, the many discussions that have taken place since then and some of the positive changes that appear to be taking place. However, we also need to honour the young black teens in the US who are saying what changes need to made. It is through listening to young people, that real changes for their future, is possible. This means, listening to diverse voices, perspectives and solutions.
The Bad😯
1. The metaverse should not become a curse
Although much is being said and promised about the metaverse and how it’s innovation can enhance and better our lives for the future, we do need to be aware of the ‘dark side’ of the metaverse and particularly how it could affect young people such as teens.
According to the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), some metaverse apps are ‘dangerous by design’. An article in the NME, explains how a researcher posed as a 13 year old girl in a metaverse platform and whilst on the platform witnessed grooming, sexual material, racist insults, as well as a rape threat. These are very grave matters and if no governance or protection is put in place regarding these platforms, then children are being put at great risk for potential psychological and mental harm. ‘How can the metaverse platform creators pre-empt such issues?’ is a key question that needs not only answering, but also positive action and safeguarding put into place
2. Scams on the rise … and teens are a target
We have much to be thankful for regarding the internet, but just as there is a ‘dark side’ to the metaverse, there is also one for the internet. With young people spending more time online than before, they are now potentially ‘sitting ducks’ for unscrupulous online behaviour from others. Perry (2022) reports that scams against kids and teens are on the rise and offers some tips on ‘How to spot the scam’.
3. The future of work is .,, narrow ?
Although this news item is not from the last couple of weeks, it was felt important to include it, since any terrain for teens would include the terrain of work. The OECD PISA report (2020) concluded that despite big changes to the world of work over the past decade, these changes have not been reflected in teens’ career expectations, which have become more focussed on a narrower group of occupations.
The OECD Education Director (Andreas Schleicher) is reported to have stated that it was a concern that more young people than before appeared to be picking from a traditional list of occupations such as teachers, lawyers and business managers and that ‘too many teenagers are ignoring or unaware of new types of jobs that are emerging, particularly as a result of digitalisation’. Not only do teenagers need to be made aware, but so do their parents and carers, who the teens may seek guidance from.
The Ugly 😡
1. A very sad landscape
After two years of Covid restrictions , research in the UK has found that the happiness and confidence of 16–25 year olds has hit the lowest point in the history of the 13 year survey. This survey includes older teens (16–19) and highlights their particular difficulties, with almost a quarter (23%) of the surveyed group agreeing they will never recover from the emotional impact of the pandemic. And even broader group of forty-eight percent (48%) of teens report experiencing a mental health problem.
Similarly, in the US, alarms are being raised about the impact of the pandemic on teens’ mental health: “‘Undisputed’, experts say, is that young America faces grave mental health challenges, growing up in a crucible of digital media, academic pressure, financial uncertainty, racism, gun violence, societal inequality and fear that the planet itself will die.’
How do we turn this gloomy state of affairs around and ensure that young people have the happiness, skills and confidence for their futures ? Answer: Watch this space…..
2. Loneliness — a part of the ‘other pandemic’
A study led by San Diego State University, is reported to have analysed the data of 60,000 UK teens and found that smartphones make teenagers lonelier at school, since they are said to have the effect of isolating young people from their friends. Furthermore, the proportion of 15–16 year olds feeling alienated has tripled in 20 years.
So basically, the finding is that smartphones stop teenagers from talking with their friends. This ‘stopping from talking’ can also probably be seen in cafes, restaurants, at the family dinner table/eating time and even at social events (as I once witnessed at a wedding!). How can the feelings of loneliness be counteracted and how is it different from solitude
3. Did no-one see this coming ?
Although this is another UK based story, one does wonder if the issues raised have also occurred in other parts of the world. Sargeant (2022) reports that not only did drug gangs exploit Covid 19 to find new, young recruits, but that lockdown saw 100,000 pupils vanish from the school system.
The phrase ‘Lost Generation’ comes to mind upon learning of these worrying matters… How can recovery be supported and be effective for these vulnerable young people ? There is much work to be done…..
The Grey Zone of Uncertainty 🧐
There are many uncertainties facing the teens of today…we are, as mentioned earlier in this wrap, living in a time of VUCA.
For the uncertain section of this wrap, the following table highlights the questions (or the uncertainties) that are being raised in relation to the impact of COVID 19 on the children of today. Many, but not all, can be applied to children (in our case, teens), wherever they are in the world. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements ?
The Future …
Adult guidance and expectations, teenage aspirations and future explorations…..
Firstly, Matthew Green offers some guidance to parents and carers on how to talk with your teens about the future:
Future focussed sci-fi:
Teen aspirations:
Tapestry
Expressive Arts
Teenagers have found ways through the various expressive arts , to share their intimate thoughts and experiences of the pandemic. Some take a comical view, whilst others remind us all of the real and difficult struggles that this generation have had and may still be experiencing:
For the whole article, please refer to: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/learning/what-its-like-to-be-a-teenager-now-the-winners-of-our-coming-of-age-in-2021-contest.html
Lexicon
Teenagers have their own language and this year is not any different. If you’re a parent, carer, work with teens or a linguist, then this list may be just what you need. It’s a pretty dope and Gucci list, bruh!
Current Teen and Gen Z Slang Words 2022 Decoded:
Podcasts of the Week
This Teenage Life
Our very own Grey Swan Guild member, Gina Clifford interviewed the teen band Morris, who collaborated through high school and now in college amid Covid 19 to write, perform, record and produce a music album:
Movie of the Week
A Teen version of an all time classic story… Sneakerella.
Stark Reality Check — As war rears its ugly head again….
Ukrainian teen faces uncertain future:
Watch the full video: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/a-new-reality-for-ukrainian-teens-as-threat-of-russian-invasion-looms/
Coping with a VUCA world
Humour of the Week — Diagnosing Generation Alpha
Tongue very firmly planted in cheek, the New Yorker served up a serious researcher tone piece “What Generation Alpha has Already Ruined?” with only the remotest link to reality.
Wide Open Spaces - Part II — A Teen Vantage Point
As much as as adults care deeply and have our own thoughts and solutions about the future of teens, we’re just as interested in hearing directly from them.
If you know of teens that have a point of view on the current and future state of the world, please have them submit a short piece on any of the following three questions and we will post their observations (crediting first name only) next week:
- What is it like being a teenager now, nearly two years in COVID?
- What do you think the future will look like over the next 25 years?
- What is the future you want?
Here’s the submission form: https://bit.ly/gsgfuturegazingforum
The Discussion —Wide Open Spaces
As we do every week, we get together each week as a group to discuss the wrap on Clubhouse. We would love it (if you and if they are comfortable) to bring your teenagers into our discussion this week.
This week’s edition will be discussed during a unique event on Sunday the 27th February at 4pm GMT/11am ET/8am PT on Clubhouse. This time, we invite teens (accompanied by an adult) to participate in the weekly discussion: https://bit.ly/chgsgwideopenspaces
Heads Up — Futuregazing — A World of Opportunity, For Teens, By Teens
This post represents our first precursor to a venture project led by a passionate group of individuals inside our Guild. The working title for the project is Futuregazing and we’d love to get your input.
We want to set up environments for teens to shine and role model other teens on things that are so required in a current young person’s life, but aren’t getting nearly enough time and space in home, play, work or school. Topics like: critical thinking, sensemaking, futures thinking, navigating complexity, empathy, human-centred design, Skills that will equip them to cope with and address both their current pressures and future ambitions. We have even thought of hosting a camp for these skills where learning and play intermingle.
We’ll eventually be reaching out to teens, particularly young people 13–16 years old over the next few months. In the interim, if you as an adult would like to be part of our working group, please indicate so here: https://bit.ly/gsgfuturegazing
What’s The Wrap, What’s Next:
For those of you who are new to the Grey Swan Guild News Wrap, this is a weekly publication, which explores the current and future state of the world around a theme, through the lens of what we call a ‘Sense-Making Time-Spot’ (SMTS) or sensemaking within a particular timeframe.
It’s a peer collaboration of the recent news, headlines, popular opinion, some statistics and any very recent research at the time of production. The news is then evaluated in terms of it being ‘great’, ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘ugly’ and the ‘uncertain’.
[Ed Note: As a disclaimer, I would like to add that I am writing this piece as a compassionate observer and member of the Grey Swan Guild rather than in my professional capacity]
This week is edition #8 of a compendium of stories and headlines we’re tracking in the Grey Swan Guild’s Global League of Sensemakers’ Newsroom. Imagine a newsroom that went deeper, had little bias and didn’t have to get their points across in 40-second sound bytes or linkbait headlines. That’s us.
You can make Submissions to The Wrap any time on The Grey Swan Guild’s LinkedIn page with the hashtag #TheWrap. Be pithy, Be wry, Be relaxed and make some sense of the news with us. It’s a place we hang out during the week too. Join the conversation there and share your ideas, hopes, and worries with us. We are in this together for a reason.
Join our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grey-swan-guild/
Sample our mission: https://www.greyswanguild.org
Read our latest: https://greyswanguild.medium.com/
Become a member: https://bit.ly/greyswanmemberprofile
Become a global sensemaker: https://bit.ly/lofsenseform
Look out for the reports following our 1000 day radar events that took place last week: https://www.greyswanguild.org/courses
