If you’re a parent of a teenager, you may feel unsettled at your child’s lack of socialization compared to your childhood. They may exhibit apathy and lack of desire to spend time with other children their age which can raise concerns about their ability to establish and nurture relationships as they become adults. This phenomenon is seen on a large scale with teenagers due to various societal shifts. Knowing why your teenager may be struggling with apathy can help you better understand how to support them best.
Reasons For Teenager Apathy
Post-Pandemic Shifts
The pandemic made it challenging to connect with others, leaving many feeling isolated. This was especially detrimental for elementary and middle school children, as it hindered the development of their social skills. Not developing those skills earlier on can make it difficult to connect with others later on, which is one of the main reasons for the increase in apathy among teenagers.
Social Media Bubble
Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook can help people connect no matter the distance. They allow you to find people in your niche interests and communities, but at the same time, they can also lead to you feeling disconnected and isolated. When these apps only show the curated best of people’s lives, it can make your child feel inadequate and as though they aren’t doing well enough. This leads to teenagers spiraling and isolating, affecting their self-esteem.
Academic Expectations
The pressure to perform well in school is at its peak when you’re a teenager. When school is your main focus and subjects are becoming increasingly more challenging, academic expectations can lead to teenagers isolating themselves out of stress, unable to care about anything else.
Fear of People’s Opinion (FOPO)
Anxiety about peer perception is at an all-time high during the teenage years. This fear of judgment or bullying can cause some teenagers to withdraw and isolate themselves as a form of self-protection.
While learning about the many different reasons that your children might be isolating themselves can be alarming, there are ways to support them! It’s important to know that pressuring your child can make them isolate even more, and cause them to feel as though they cannot confide in you. But supporting your child and their interests can create a safe environment for them to trust you as a confidant.
How you can help
Extracurriculars
If your child has a difficult time making friends in school introducing them to local communities with similar interests can help them make connections. An example is if your child is interested in video games or board games, finding a local game shop that hosts events can help your child find more like-minded people and feel less isolated.
Be open to their emotions
If your child comes to you with issues you have difficulty relating to, be open to hearing their feelings, and validating how they’re feeling. Creating a space for your child to express themselves without the fear of being judged will help them feel less isolated.
Therapy
Providing your child with a safe, non-judgmental space to talk about their feelings can greatly strengthen their emotional support system. A therapist can also guide them in understanding the root of their emotions and teach them effective coping strategies.
As a parent of a teenager, all you want is to make sure they grow into the best person they can be, so if your child is apathetic and isolating having deep concerns is understandable. If your best efforts to help your child aren't yielding the progress you'd like to see, book an appointment with Lifecare Wellness Counseling for a consultation.
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