Group Chats, Ghosting, and Anxiety: How Teen Communication Is Changing Mental Health

Teen girl sitting at her desk in her bedroom looking at social media on her phone

A generation ago, the anxieties of teen friendships took place in school hallways, on the phone, and when hanging out. While these are still common settings for seeing and talking to friends, today, there is the addition of group chats and social media, each with new rules and ambiguities to navigate.  Leaving texts on “read,” […]

Boundaries or Shutdown? How Teens Are Redefining Relationships (and Maybe Avoiding Them)

Two teen boys with one teen girl smiling and talking while two of them hold a skateboard

The language about healthy boundaries for teens is shaping how an entire generation thinks about and talks about relationships. In many ways, this is an improvement over previous generations’ lack of relational vocabulary.  For some teens, boundary-setting is exactly what it sounds like: a healthy, hard-won skill that protects their well-being.  For others, however, the […]

How to Deal With Friend Group Drama: A Teen’s Guide to Protecting Your Peace

Two teen boys with one teen girl smiling and talking while two of them hold a skateboard

Friend group drama can feel like the end of the world. One day you’re sending memes, making plans, and laughing together at lunch. The next day, you’re getting left on read, hearing rumors, seeing passive-aggressive posts, or feeling like everyone is suddenly taking sides. Whether it’s a misunderstanding, gossip, jealousy, changing friendships, or a major […]