On a recentNPR , producer Fio Geiran asked teens on the National Mall what worries them most. Their answers ranged from heavy school workloads and family financial stress to climate change and social media pressures. Yet alongside these concerns, many shared the ways they cope—from biking with a parent or learning to code to setting boundaries with online use. The dual reality was clear: teens today face immense challenges, but they are also resourceful and resilient.
Schubert Center Adviser, Dr. Lisa Damour, a psychologist and nationally recognized expert on adolescent development, spoke with NPR’s Manoush Zomorodi about how these pressures have intensified in the past decade. From algorithm-driven social media to pandemic-related isolation, Damour notes that teens’ stress is real—but so is their capacity to adapt. She emphasizes that adults play a critical role in how young people see themselves: framing teens as thoughtful, capable, and resilient helps them rise to the occasion. Damour encourages parents and educators to talk with teens respectfully about difficult topics—from mental health to climate anxiety—and to support them in finding healthy ways to cope with distress rather than avoiding it.