PowerPoint 1

Bia: (read the title) Today we are going to talk about something everyone goes through in
their lives: Adolescence.

PowerPoint 2:

Pedro: (read the powerpoint).

In this presentation we will discuss a few topics which we believe are strongly connected to
being a teenager and what is considered important to a teenager.

PowerPoint 3:

Inês: Firstly we will discuss school, since it is one of the biggest priorities during our
adolescence. (read the powerpoint)

PowerPoint 4:

Rita: Still in regards to school there is a large number of topics that should be talked about,
such as: (read the powerpoint)

Text Anxiety

It is unusual to find a single student who does not suffer from some degree of test anxiety.
After all, students spend a lot of time taking tests. There are end-of-year tests, subject matter
tests, national tests, and college aptitude tests. The list is endless to a stressed-out teenager.
Sometimes those tests carry with them some real consequences for not doing well. It's no
wonder teens can feel some serious anxiety over testing.

Teen Exhaustion

Tiredness is a common problem for many teenagers. In some school districts, the bus comes at
6:30 AM, forcing students to get up far earlier than their natural sleep cycles would wish.

Homework

Compounding this early start time is the average high school student's homework schedule.
According to a survey conducted by the University of Phoenix in 2014, this is 17.5 hours a
week. If you do the math, you figure that's approximately three to four hours per night. Which
might sound fine until you figure in that many teens have jobs, activities or other
responsibilities to attend to, leaving little time for homework to get done at a decent hour.

Bullying

The American Society for the Positive Care of Children reports that approximately 28 percent
of children aged 12 to 18 have been bullied at school. Bullying at school turns what should be a
place of learning into a place of misery and even danger, and it takes many forms. Bullying can
be physical, psychological, or it can even happen in cyberspace. Every day, thousands of teens
are nervous about going to school because they know they will face a bully who will pick on
them. This bullying can take the form of physical bullying - where a student feels their physical
safety is immediately in danger.

However, cyberbullying is a fast growing reality of the teenage world. The Center for Disease
Control estimates that 15.5 percent of students are affected by cyberbullying in some way
shape or form. Cyberbullying is very attractive to bullies who can remain anonymous and
physically removed from their targets.

PowerPoint 5:

Pedro: Now we are going to discuss dating, and some of it´s positive aspects. (read the
powerpoint)

PowerPoint 6:

Inês: A couple of positive aspects that come with dating at a young age are: (read the
powerpoint)

Teen Dating Is Normal

While some teens will start dating earlier than others, romantic interests are normal and
healthy during adolescence. Some kids are more overt or vocal about their interest in dating
but most are paying attention and intrigued by the prospect of a romantic life, even if they
keep it to themselves.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, dating helps teens build
social skills and grow emotionally.

Dating Builds Relationship Skills

Just like starting any new phase of life, entering the world of dating is both exciting and scary.
Kids will need to put themselves out there by expressing romantic interest in someone else,
risking rejection, figure out how to be a dating partner, and what exactly that means.

New skills in the realms of communication, caring, thoughtfulness, intimacy, and independence
collide with a developing sexuality, limited impulse control, and the urge to push boundaries.
Teens may also have some unrealistic ideas about dating based on what they've seen online, in
the movies, or read in books.

Real-life dating doesn't mimic a teen Netflix or Disney movie. Instead, first dates may be
awkward or they may not end up in romance. Dates may be in a group setting or even via
Snapchat—but the feelings are just as real.

Today's teens spend a lot of time texting and posting to potential love interests on social
media. For some, that can make dating easier because they can test the waters and get to
know one another online first. For those teens who tend to be shy, meeting in person can be
more difficult or awkward, especially since kids spend so much time tied to their electronics at
the expense of face-to-face communication.
Understand that early dating is teen´s chance to work on these life skills is very important.
They may make mistakes and/or get hurt but ideally, they will also learn from those
experiences.

PowerPoint 7:

Bia: Next we will talk about social media. And, f we were to do this presentation a few years
ago, social media would most likely be something we wouldn´t talk about. But, nowadays
social media is definetly one of the biggest influences on teenagers life. (read the powerpoint)

PowerPoint 8:

Rita: Here are some topics to take into consideration when talking about social media. (read
the powerpoint)

Social Media and Social Comparison

One way in which social media undermines teen mental health is through social comparison.
Teenagers on social media spend much of their time observing the lives and images of their
peers. Therefore, this leads to constant comparisons. And this can damage self-esteem and
body image. Moreover, it can lead to depression. Online social comparison is associated with
depressive symptoms among adolescents, particularly teen girls.

As with other types of social comparison, teens report lower self-esteem and self-evaluation
when looking at peers on Facebook and other social media sites. For example, this includes
looking at profiles on which peers post about their healthy habits, fun social events, or
accomplishments. And teens felt better about themselves when they make so-called
“downward comparisons”—looking at profiles of peers with fewer friends and achievements.

Health Hazard or Healthy Inspiration?

Social media also provides forums in which teens can encourage each other in unhealthy and
dangerous behaviors. Hence, teens with eating disorders or teens who self-harm can connect
with others to talk about their self-destructive routines. In these online forums, obsessive
calorie counting, fasting, or other exercising are accepted and encouraged. As a result, teens
may learn ways to hide or increase the behavior, putting them at greater risk.

However, a teen social network can also inspire teenagers to develop healthy habits. Thus,
seeing peers eating healthy food, doing something creative, or getting outside in nature can
encourage other teens to do the same. Hence, the effect of social media on teenagers might
even result in more unplugged time.

Social Media Effects on Friendships 

During adolescence, friendship and peer approval are critical. As a result, social media
supports the drive to connect with peers, with both positive and negative results.

The Addictive Quality of Social Media for Teens

Addiction can be an effect of social media on teenagers. Scientists have found that teen´s
overuse of social media creates a stimulation pattern similar to the pattern created by other
addictive behaviors. Hence, the brain responds to social media the same way it responds to
other “rewards”— with a release of dopamine. These dopamine rushes are catalyzed when a
teen posts something online and is met with likes, shares, and positive comments from their
peers.

“Each ‘like’ increases dopamine, just as cocaine and other drugs do. In adolescents, the brain is
rapidly developing and the pleasure centers are all coming on board. Thus, when teens derive
addictive pleasure from social media, it can be a recipe for ignoring real-world pleasures, such
as building true person-to-person relationships.”

—Jamison Monroe, CEO and Founder of Newport Academy

PowerPoint 9:

Inês: (read the powerpoint)

PowerPoint 10:

Pedro: (read the powerpoint)