Communicating With Teens: Mission Impossible?

According to data from the World Health Organization, young people aged 10 to 19 represent about one-sixth of the world’s population (1.2 billion people). They all have their very specific needs, and communicating with teenagers is becoming increasingly important.

Most young people are in good health, but premature death and injuries among young people are still a real risk. It is therefore important to develop innovative strategies for how to communicate with young people.

Communicate with teens

Communication with teenagers can seem impossible at times and it can be a big challenge. But it can also be very satisfying.

Promoting healthy behavior during adolescence and taking measures to better protect young people from health risks are crucial to preventing future health problems in adulthood.

Younger teens can be particularly vulnerable while their abilities are still evolving and their lives begin to spread beyond their families. The various physical and emotional changes in adolescence have health consequences not only at this stage of life but also for the rest of their lives.

Some progress and new challenges

Despite the fact that young people’s general health has improved, there are still many challenges they have to overcome and we have a series of innovative proposals here to achieve satisfactory results.

What do we know?

On the one hand, communication does not grow on trees and it has a certain pattern you need to follow and know. On the other hand, communication with teenagers is not just a random relationship, but one that involves our feelings and our love.

Adolescence

When trying to communicate, it is very important not to forget that these teenagers are our children, students, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There is a lot of emotion involved.

Adolescence is at the same time a phase of life where there is not only a concern for what is happening here and now, but also for the future both in the short and long term. You need to show a healthy authority in everyday life, as well as that there are consequences when they go over the limits you have set.

Adolescence is a time when young people have a strong desire to explore, experience, seek, desire and make decisions.

Factors that promote good communication with teenagers

• Use appropriate words and gestures
• Defend your own opinions without anger or aggression
• Take into account your teenager’s ideas and interests
• Find reasonable compromises and solutions for both parties

Signs that you are listening to your teenager

• Give them your full attention when they speak. Show that you listen by looking them in the eye often. You can also use gestures and oral expressions.
• Repeat the most important points in what they tell you – things that are very important to them. Let them know that you understand their views and feelings.

• Do not interrupt, except to show that you are listening or to ask for clarification if you do not understand something.

If you do this, you are good at listening and paying attention to what they tell you – two important starting points for good communication in all interactions, and even more so during adolescence.