english writing

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents

Figure 1. Teenagers face behavioral problems. Reprinted from Understandin nage behavior problems and

tips to handle them, by Sagan. Gongala, 2017, Retrieved from http:// omiunction.com/articles/important-

teenage-behavioural-problems-solutions 0010084

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 The Most Common Types of Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 2

2.1 Alcohol and Drugs 2

2 .2 The Increased Use of Communication Devices and Social Media

2.3 Lying or Hiding Facts

2-3

3

3 The Causes of Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 4

3.1 Causes of Alcohol and Drugs 4

3.2 Causes of Increased Use of Communication Devices and Social Media 4-5

3.3 Causes of Lying or Hiding Facts 5

4 Effects of Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 5-6

5 How are Teenage Behavioral Problems Treated 6

5.1 Treatment of Alcohol and Drugs 7

5.2 Treatment of Increased Use of Communication De es and Social Media

5.3 Treatment of Lying or Hiding Fact 7-8

6 Conclusion 8

7 Reference List 9- 1 0

8 Appendix 11

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 1

1 Introduction

Adolescence is approximately considered to be the period between 13 and 19 years of age.

During this period, teenagers are likely to act and react like adults. In reality, it is a difficult

period which outcomes essential changes in the frame of character, the behavior pattern and life

targets. Teenagers might face several types of behavioral problems with this period. They are

alcohol and drugs, increased use of communication devices and social media, mood swings and

lying or hiding facts. Adolescents face these problems because of the gap between them and their

parents, stress and the effect of their bad friends. Each type has a different effect on teenagers.

These issues can be dealt easily if parents pay attention to their teenage ' behavior. In addition,

they have to find out what kind of suffering that the teenager s through, so they can help

him/her out.

This term paper has been organized to discuss briefly the common types of behavioral

problems among adolescents. It further explains the causes eenage behavioral problems. After

that, it will list the effects of teenage behavioral lems. Finally, it will suggest how these

behavioral problems can be treated.

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 2

2 The Most Common Types of Behavioral Problems among Adolescents

Every teenager might face a real behavioral problem at this stage of his/her life. There are

several types of behavioral problems which are mentioned before, but the common types are

alcohol and drugs, increased use of communication devices and social media and lying or hiding

facts.

2.1 Alcohol and Drugs

The first common type of teenage behavioral problems is alcohol and drugs. It is a

serious problem all over the world which has a psychological effect on the body. Alcohol is a

type of beverage that contains a high percentage of ethanol and has been consumed and produced

by humans since a long time ago. Drugs are the type of medicine that is ingested by the human,

and the most common examples are Cocaine and Heroin. According to Gongala (2017), at this

age, teenagers are more likely to get alcohol and drugs than adults. In reality, as come a

normal habit that you see a teenager drink socially with his/her friends.

2 .2 The Increased Use of Communication Devices and Social Media

The second common type of teenage behavioral problems is increased use of

communication devices and social media. Social media is trendier nowadays between

adolescents than before. According to Lenhart (2015), 24% o agers use social media

frequently by their mobile devices. In fact, the spend a day without accessing their

accounts on social media. For instance, they use their phones during lunch time or gathering

instead of enjoying this time with the family. For teenagers, the top social media platforms are

Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. In addition, Pew Research Center's study has shown that the

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 3

most famous one and constantly used among teenagers is Facebook; half of them use Instagram,

and the rest use Snapchat (Lenhart, 2015) as shown below.

Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat Top Social Media Platforms for Teens

Qf all teens 13 to 17 who use

Facebook

I nstagra m

Snapchat

Twitter

Gnogle* MID

Vine

Tu rnblr

Different social media site

Figure 1. Top social media platforms for teenagers. Adapted from Teens, social media & technology overview 2015,

by Amanda. Lenhart, 2015, Retrieved from http://www.pe temet. s 015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-

2015

2.3 Lying or Hiding Facts

The last common type of teenage behavioral problems is lying or hiding facts. Gongala

(2017) says that lying or hiding facts are one of the bad habits among teenagers. They are a

common excuse that teenagers use t et away from punishment. For example, at school, when

the teacher asks the stu s whether or not they have done their homework, some will lie as to

why they didn't do it.

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 4

3 The Causes of Behavioral Problems among Adolescents

Parents need to understand the reasons why their teenagers have these behavioral problems.

First of all, they have to know that each type depends on many causes. Then, they need to

identify which type their teenager goes through. The common causes of behavioral problems

among adolescents are the gap between them and their parents, stress and the effect of their bad

friends.

3.1 Causes of Alcohol and Drugs

Julie (2017) states that ther is no specific cause for this problem, but there are things that

lead adolescents to alto 1 and drugs abuse. The first cause is other people which can easily

influence them. Teenagers actually like to follow what their friends are doing by drinking

alcohol and taking drugs. In other words, teenagers normally prefer to experience new things.

The second cause is popular media. 45% of adolescents when they watch people on movies and

TV show drink alcohol and take drugs, they think that it is a right thing to do. The third and last

cause is boredom. They sometimes drink alcohol and take drugs to have fun and to remove that

feeling of loneliness.

3.2 Causes of the Increased Use of Communication Devices and Social Media

Why are adolescents are addicted to communication devices and social media? A teenager

might get addicted to communication devices and social media for many auses (Ra 17).

First, teenagers are so curious about everything in life. Therefore, social media are the perfect

place for their curiosity. Second, teenage is an age of conflicts and changes. Most of the

1.... s teenagers at this age feel unconfident about themselve , lonely and disengaged from their family

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 5

and people around them. All of these lead teenagers to use social media to earn trust and

confidence. Finally, some teenagers lack the ability to communicate with other people. They find

it very hard to interact with people in front of them, so social media is the place where they go

for communication with others.

3.3 Causes of Lying or Hiding Facts

Saha (2017) states that there are some causes o s problem. First, teenagers at this age

believe that they have the ability to be separated from their parents, so they hide everything from

them. Second, they need to be loved and cared by their parents. For example, saying that they

had a full mark in exam while they didn't in order to be praised by their parents. Third, teenagers

lie to not hurt other's feelings. For example, if a girl asked her friend about her dress: Do you like

my dress? Her friend will lie and say it is beautiful, but the truth is that she doesn't like it.

Finally, one of the most common reasons for both lying and hiding is to get away from

punishment. For instance, when a boy broke a golden glass, he will hide the truth or sometimes

lie in order to avoid any consequences.

4 Effects of Behavioral Problems among Adolescents

According to Raja (2017), there are several effects of alcohol and drugs behavioral problem.

First, when teenagers drink alcohol and take drugs more than usual, it will lead them to become

hooked without realizing that. Second, they take drugs to help them to study well, but these

drugs will create more effects on brain memorization, focusing and learning abilities chool

or academic life. In addition, this could be a failure, and it impac nega y on their future,

which would be difficult for them to find a job. Finally, teenagers think of drugs as a solution to

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 6

any problem they face, and it can make them feel better, but the truth is that drugs lead to worse

damage in health, and in worse cases, to death.

According to Raja (2017), increased use of communication devices and social media

problem has behavioral and physical effects. First, the teenagers who use social media, become

obsessed by it, which can lead them to become angry whenever they lose their computer or any

contact to social media. In addition, if someone tries to use their computer or discover about their

activities, they feel angry too. Second, they spend a lot of time in their room which causes them

to be isolated from their family or friends. Third, the teenagers spend more time than usual which

lead to having a headaches or vision problems. Finally, they might gain or lose weight.

The effects of lying or hiding facts could be a positive or negative effect (Wiltermu

Newman, & Raj, 2015). For positive effects, sometimes lying can earn the conf ence of people.

Also, it makes teenagers feel better in their life and about themselves. For negative effects,

teenagers will use lying at school, home and job or even for fun. Lying will not only destroy their

life, but it will affect their health.

5 How are Teenage Behavioral Problems Treated

Being a parent is not that easy, especially when your teenager has some behavioral problems.

In this case, the role of any parents is how to deal with these problems. First, they need to pay

attention to their teenager's behavior. After that, they have to identify 'nd of suffering that

teenager goes through, so they can help him/her out.

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 7

5.1 Treatment of Alcohol and Drugs

According to Rakhee (2017), the most important thing that parents should do is watching and

keeping their eyes on adolescents. As a teenager, he/she needs good care, healthy food and time

to sleep. This will help him/her to avoid taking drugs. Also, try not to use punishment or hitting

to stop teenagers to take drugs. The right solution to stop that is to talk to them, let them express

the reasons behind their actions. This will not only help them to leave drugs but also earn

confidence they might have lost at this age. Actually, some of these solutions are not suitable for

each teenager. That is why parents can let teenagers face his mistake and see what they have

done. This could be helpful for them to feel regret and try to fix it.

5.2 Treatment of the Increased Use of Communication Devices and Social Media

Social media has become an important part of the lives of the teenagers. That is why prevent

them from access, using and taking their mobile devices is not the perfect solution (Gongala,

2017). It will cause other consequences, such as taking someone else's phone. Parents can

prevent all that by watching their children and be careful on their uses of social media. o, give

them a specific time to spend it on social media and communication devices.

5.3 Treatment of Lying or Hiding Facts

Saha (2017) emphasizes that teenagers need to talk and say what is on thei ds. When

parents try to communicate with their teenagers, they will feel more comfortable to open their

hearts, start to talk and tell the truth. In this way, parents will earn their teenagers trust, which

will lead them to have the courage to say the truth. Moreover, this will help them to ask parents

about any problem they had and avoid lying or hiding anything. Also, parents should not use

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 8

anger with them, but they need to calm down even if they discover that teenagers are lying.

Honesty is an important thing in life and hence it is the parents' role to teach teenagers the value

of saying the truth. For example, parents can tell teenagers stories about lying and hiding, so

teenagers will understand the consequences of lying and hiding. Then step by step, they will start

to say the truth.

6 Conclusion

Finally, from what the writers have confirmed, every teenager might face a behavioral

problem at this age. Also, this paper discusses the different types of teenage behavioral

problems and how each one of them has different reasons and effects. Moreover, how these

problems can be treated.

In conclusion, behavioral problems can affect every teenager in his/her life. Therefore,

parents should pay attention to their teenagers and find solutions to overc e these

problems.

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 9

7 Reference List

Gongala, S. (2017). Understanding teenage behavior problems and tips to handle them.

Retrieved March 14, 2017, from http://wwvv.momjunction.com/articles/important-teenage-

behavioural-problems-solutions_0010084/#gref

Julie. (2017). Top 8 reasons why teens try alcohol and drugs. Retrieved March 14, 2017, from

http://drugfree.org/parent-blog/top-8-reasons-teens-try-alcohol-drugs

Lenhart, A. (2015). Teens, social media & technology overview 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2017,

from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/

Raja, D. (2017). Teenage social media addiction and its effects. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from

http://vvww.momjunction.com/articles/teenage-addiction-to-social-media00353048/

Raja, D. (2017). Marijuana and teens - 28 facts and 4 side effects. Retrieved March 12, 2017,

from http://www.mom unction.com/articles/mariivana-facts-and-effects-on-

teens 00382879/

Rakhee, M. (2017). Effective ways to prevent teen drug abuse. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from

http://www.momiunction.com/articles/ways-to-prevent-teen-drug-

abuse 00347124/?ref—content/

Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 10

Saha, R. (2017). How to deal with a lying teenager. Retrieved March 14, 2017, from

http://www.momjunction.com/articles/why-do-teenagers-lie-and-how-to-deal-with-

lying_00380877/?ref--content/

Wiltermuth, S., Newman, D., & Raj, M. (2015). The consequences of dishonesty. Retrieved

March 14, 2017, from http://www.spsp.orgiblog/the-consequences-of-dishonesty

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Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents 11

8 Appendix A:

Figure A-1. Teenagers Face Behavioral Problems.

Figure A-2. Top Social Media Platforms for Teenagers.

Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat Top Social Media Platforms for Teens

a of all teens 13 to 1- a ho use .„

Facebook

Instagram

Snapchat

Twitter

Google+

Vine yam Tumble

Different social media site EI