September 2025 Feedback
As parents, it is now our turn to remember our younger years, and like the geezers before us, say “back in my day.” With teens growing up in modern times having a digital world at their finger tips and with acceptance and positivity being all the rage, it got us to wondering…
Who has it harder… today’s teens or teens from your day and age?
“I don’t think being a teen is ever easy. It is just an awkward time of acne, squeaky voices, and snarky hormonal judgement all around. I was a teen during the 9.11 era, and us millennials have certainly seen our share of struggle since then, too. Today’s teens though… they live in this world of wanting to live up to these influencers, they are pressured with wild expectations and everything they do is recorded. I am grateful my teenage struggles weren’t so digitally documented.”
-Amanda C., Associated Editor of Cincinnati Family Magazine
“Teens today for sure. I graduated in 2014 and I thought we had it rough with early Facebook, Snapchat, etc but social media has grown to the point it’s a much bigger danger, not to mention higher rates of crime, at least perceived, since the news/social media has everything posted within seconds. I fell down the stairs once sophomore year – but no one remembers. Do it today, the video will follow you much longer, especially if it goes viral.”
-Annie A.
“I have to post this anonymously because this is a hot take. I was a teen in the early 2000’s and sports were fun. Kids today join a team like it is their job and even my daughter’s dance team has a level of seriousness that takes away from the fun. I don’t know about harder, but today’s teens don’t seem like they are having fun.”
-Anonymous
“Screenagers don’t even know how to function in society. I feel bad for them.”
-Shawn M.
“I graduated in 2007. We had french tip nails, heart shaped tanning tattoos, 6 inch heels, had to sit for hours to get zebra stripe highlights and then at prom our up-dos had approximately 5,000 bobbypins. Girls today could never.”
-Ashley T.
“I’m a grandma, but being a teen in the 70’s was fun. Lots of cruising and good concerts. I don’t get today’s teens.”
-Mary G.
“One of my kids was a COVID senior. He lost out on so many events. Then my daughter had a sweet 16 drive-by parade. Seriously? We look back on that year and laugh/cry.”
-Jessica M.
“The internet is scary and lasts forever. We didn’t have that as teens.”
-Amanda W.
“I was a teen when Columbine happened. It was such a huge tragedy that affected everyone and the grief lingered for a while. Today’s teens deal with tragedies so regularly that they are just sort of used to it. And I hate that for them.”
-Sarah D.
“Today’s teens are soft. Everything is handed to them on a silver platter. They’re spoiled. I had to work, walk to practice, save money for a car, pay my own insurance. I worked two jobs through college. Kids today are lazy.”
-Mike R.
“Late diagnosed ADHD mom here. I wish I had the mental health resources that teens have now.”
-Lauren S.
“Everything now is more competitive and more expensive; teens today are up against so many challenges I never even imagined as a teen.”
-Kayla T.
“I think this generation’s teens are much more accepting of differences. I experienced cruel, relentless bullying and unfounded hatred growing up that I don’t think I would have to endure if I was a teen today. I am tough today, but living through that was horrible.”
-Michelle B.
“I think it is hard for both in different ways. Now there is a ton of social media pressure (and bullying) to be a certain way or have different things. For us as teens, we were less exposed online for anyone to make fun of us. But also mental health was pushed to the side, so now we all have issues.”
-Julie V.
