Ten Tips for Speaking with your Teen about Global Issues
Even before the internet clued them in to events happening around the world, teens and young adults have had a proud history of engaging passionately with social and political issues.
From protests at schools and campuses, participating in civil rights movements to speaking out against the perceived injustices in the status quo, adolescence has often been marked by an emerging awareness of deep-seated global issues, and a strong youthful desire to address them.
However, with the advent of new technology, social media, education, and news media, teenagers have become more connected to global social, political, and economic events than ever before. And this immersion may be taking its toll on them. According to a recent article in the New York Times, teenagers and young adults are experiencing social and emotional distress due to their engagement with important global issues, such as economic insecurity, climate change, wars, and other significant issues. This engagement can lead to increased depression and anxiety, feelings of hopelessness about the future, and helplessness at their ability to create effective change.
In the article by Christina Caron, the author speaks to teenagers who describe how economic insecurity, for example, has left several teenagers with a sense of foreboding for the future, unsure of how they will afford basic amenities, or earn a living in an unstable economy. Other teenagers in the article describe a sense of despair and hopelessness when hearing about yet another natural disaster and the toll that climate change has on the environment. They worry about their ability to survive in such a changing world.
These issues, which are often daunting for adults, can feel overwhelming for young adults who are just exploring their own role in society and the broader world. However, one thing that is known is that teenagers and young adults who feel socially supported by their family and friends are often able to feel more optimistic, feel more able to effect change, and more resilient when exposed to these stressful global events. Below is a list of 10 tools parents and caregivers can engage their teens and young adults on these issues:
- Create an Open Environment
• Encourage Open Dialogue: Make it clear that your teen can express their thoughts and concerns freely, without judgment.
• Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in their opinions, even if they differ from your own. - Gauge Their Knowledge and Interest
• Start by Asking Questions: Ask what they already know or what issues they are curious about, rather than assuming their level of understanding.
• Relate to Their Interests: Find how these issues that align with their passions, and why it interests them so much. - Be Honest but Age-Appropriate
• Explain Complex Issues Simply: If you can, try to break down these issues into understandable terms, avoiding overwhelming details. If you
• Don’t Sugarcoat: While it’s important not to scare them, avoid minimizing the seriousness of certain issues, as teens appreciate honesty. - Use Trusted Sources
• Provide Reliable Information: Share articles, documentaries, or podcasts from reputable sources to help them learn about the topic.
• Encourage Critical Thinking: Teach them how to verify facts and recognize bias in the media. Explore with them how to identify misinformation or conspiracy theories on social media. - Acknowledge Emotional Responses
• Validate Their Feelings: If they express anxiety, fear, or sadness about global issues, acknowledge these emotions as normal reactions.
• Help Manage Overwhelm: Guide them in coping strategies, such as focusing on what can be done locally or personally. - Connect the Global to the Personal
• Relate Broader Issues to Daily Life: Show how issues like climate change, political unrest, or poverty may impact their lives or the lives of others in their community.
• Empower with Action: Discuss ways they can contribute or make a difference, whether through volunteering, activism, or making informed choices. - Model Respect for Diverse Perspectives
• Encourage Respectful Dialogue: Teach them how to engage in discussions where different viewpoints are respected, even if opinions clash.
• Expose Them to Different Cultures: Help them understand global issues through the lens of different cultures, encouraging empathy and a broader worldview. - Focus on Solutions and Positive Change
• Highlight Positive Progress: Share stories of innovation, activism, and resilience that show people are making a difference in tackling global issues.
• Inspire Hope: Emphasize that while the issues are complex, change is possible, and collective efforts can make an impact. - Be Patient and Let the Conversation Evolve
• Don’t Force the Conversation: If they’re not ready to engage deeply right away, allow them time to process and come back to the topic when they’re ready.
• Check In Regularly: Make global issues an ongoing conversation, revisiting them as new developments occur or as their understanding deepens. - Lead by Example
• Model Global Citizenship: Demonstrate how you stay informed, get involved, and make ethical choices related to global issues, which can inspire them to do the same.
• Involve Them in Family Actions: Whether it’s reducing waste at home or donating to global causes, involve them in practical actions that align with their values.
In some cases, if your child does feel overwhelmed, psychotherapy may help them navigate their own often complicated and ambivalent feelings. It may also help them develop ways of effectively coping with these stressors, and many forms of therapy have been found to be help individuals cope with overwhelming global events. Additionally, family therapy may also be helpful for families to effectively communicate these issues with each other, learning how to support each other around these stressful issues. If you would like to consult with a clinician in our practice, please do not hesitate to reach out.