Some Teen Statistics that may Shock you
As a youth leader, my husband has been doing some research on the statistics of teens. These statistics include everything from drug use, to sex, to self-mutilation, to how often the use digital media. Some of these statistics may shock you, some may not.
A recent study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has some startling results about teens and drugs. In their study, they found that 40 percent of teens could get marijuana within a day; another quarter said they could get it within an hour. In another portion of the survey, teens between the ages of 12 and 17 say it’s easier to get marijuana than buy cigarettes, beer or prescription drugs. That number is up 37 percent from 2007.
Corporate profiteers produce and market media for a target youth audience they call mooks and midriffs — caricatures that exploit adolescent insecurities and hormones — a strategy described as “grabbing below the belt and reaching for their wallets.” The result: average teens now consume digital media for 72 hours each week and increasingly digest that media online in what the New York Times calls, “Websites Without Rules.”
At least one-fourth of all U.S. teenage girls are suffering from self-mutilation, eating disorders, significant depression, or serious consideration of suicide — or are perpetrating acts of physical violence.
- Study found boys were at a higher risk of Internet addiction than girls
- Doctor: Treatment for addiction cannot involve simply abstaining from the Internet
- Internet addiction may be not as widespread in the U.S. as in Asian countries
- It could become one of the most chronic childhood diseases in America, doctor says
Are you shocked?
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Very informative post! I have a teenage son and right now, it’s all open making sure he knows I’m here for him. I think it is so important to know what your kids are doing, who their friends are, what they’re up to, and what their interests are.
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Very informative post! I have a teenage son and I strive to have an open communication with him and just making sure he knows that both his dad and I are here for him. It’s so important to be a part of your kid’s life and to make sure they know that the parents are supportive of them of their dreams and endeavors.
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I’m a teen and I don’t do any of this. I’m an Eagle Scout, far ahead in school etc. etc. No drugs, no alcohol, I’m clean. I use facebook, twitter and my phone on a regular basis but for facebook I only become friends with people I personally know and I just use Twitter for promoting my business.
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This article was full of good information which was not surprising to know with the exception that teen boys are more addicted to internet use than teen girls. I would have thought the other way around.
All of my children are adults but I do have grandchildren. I am thankful for being up on the latest technology which allows me to share this type of information with their parents. Also, it helps me keep a “watch” on the grandchildren as well as other pre-teen and teenage family members that have those social network accounts. I am listed as their “friend” along with their parent(s).
Thank you for great information as usual!
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