New Survey Shows Young People Are Under Pressure About Their Achievement, Appearance, and Future

A study by Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Indiana University, and Common Sense Media explores a range of pressures on American teenagers, one in four of whom are actively struggling with burnout

Research shows teens are not engaging in a variety of healthy self-care practices (sleep, exercise, time in nature) on a daily basis

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 10, 2024 — Today, Common Sense Media, with researchers from the Center for Digital Thriving (Harvard Graduate School of Education) and Indiana University, published a study that surveyed teens about the specific pressures they face, how they combat these pressures, and the correlation to burnout. "Unpacking Grind Culture in American Teens: Pressure, Burnout, and the Role of Social Media" shows that a majority (81%) of American teens reported feeling negative pressure with achievement, appearance, and having a game plan for the future being the most common sources of distress.

"Today, on World Mental Health Awareness Day, more attention should be paid to the grind culture that many teens are struggling to navigate," said Emily Weinstein, co-founder and executive director at The Center for Digital Thriving at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. "The findings reveal how social media can amplify different pressures for teens – but that's not the whole story. And we need to get the story right if we want to help."

Key findings from the report include:

• More than one quarter (27%) of teens are struggling with burnout.
• The six types of pressure that the survey explored are:
  • Game Plan: 56% of American teens feel pressure to have their future life path figured out (e.g. college, career, relationships).
  • Achievement: 53% of teens feel pressure to be exceptional and impressive through their achievements (e.g. honors classes, good grades, jobs).
  • Appearance: 51% of teens feel pressure to look their best or present themselves in a certain way (e.g. follow trends, have a certain body type).
  • Social Life: 44% feel pressure related to having an active and visible social life (e.g. hanging out with friends, going to social events).
  • Friendship: 41% feel pressure to stay available and be supportive to friends (e.g. respond to texts/social media from friends right away).
  • Activism: 32% feel pressure to do good for their community or the world, or to be informed about different issues (e.g. supporting or giving money to causes, keeping up with the news).
• Almost 8 in 10 teens say social media at least sometimes increases the pressure to look their best or present themselves in a certain way. The apps teens most often named as contributing to this pressure are TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
• At the same time, many teens (39-53%) say that social media at least sometimes decreases each pressure.
• Importantly, teens also point to other major contributors to pressure, which can come especially from themselves, parents, family members, and school.
• Girls and nonbinary teens (compared to boys) and LGBTQ+ teens (compared to cisgender and non-LGBTQ+ teens) report greater feelings of pressure in every category.
• Gaming has emerged as a tool young people use to release pressure. Almost 80% of teens report gaming with others, and 1 in 4 said gaming helps reduce pressures.
• Teens who engage in self-care activities (e.g., getting enough exercise and sleep) report lower burnout. Older teens practice less self-care and experience more burnout.
• Approximately one in ten teens report never getting 7 or more hours of sleep (9%) or at least one hour of physical activity(13%) in the last week.

"Parents of teens, rather than adding to the pressures that teens feel, have an opportunity to encourage daily self-care activities that help young people reduce burnout, including sleep, time outside, and a less structured schedule," said Amanda Lenhart, head of research at Common Sense Media and a co-author of the report.

"Scientists have long known that doing good in the community and helping friends often supports teens' well-being; however, this report suggests that kind behaviors can sometimes feel like extra pressure. Parents, teachers and nonprofit youth workers can help teens find joyful ways to give and help," said Sara Konrath, associate professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a co-author of the report.

The study is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,545 teens age 13 to 17 conducted online in English and Spanish by SSRS from October to November 2023. From February to April 2024, 19 teens age 13 to 17, who did not take the survey, participated in focus groups sessions to co-interpret and contextualize the findings from the survey.

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach approximately 150 million users worldwide and 1.3 million educators per year. Learn more at www.commonsense.org.

About The Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education

The Center for Digital Thriving is a research and innovation center at Harvard Graduate School of Education. We're proudly based at Project Zero, which has a long history as a home to research that leans into areas even when there is little or perceivably zero communicable knowledge or consensus. Our mission is to create knowledge and research-based resources that help young people — especially youth — thrive in a tech-filled world. Visit our website to learn more about The Center for Digital Thriving and to access our Youth Voice Playbook, a free, interactive guide for those looking to build youth advisory into their work.

About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its undergraduate, graduate, certificate and professional development programs, its research and international programs, and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy and the Women's Philanthropy Institute.