Teenagers today are breaking away from the rebellious stereotype of past generations but not without a price.
From all indications, they are rewriting the script on adolescence. Unlike previous generations, many Gen Z teens are steering clear of risky behaviours like drinking, smoking, and drug use.
They’re less likely to get into trouble with the law or engage in violent acts. On the surface, this seems like good news right? A sign that young people are making healthier, more responsible choices.
But parents and caregivers are noticing something deeper, and far more troubling. Beneath the surface of this well-behaved generation is a quiet epidemic of emotional distress. More and more teens are struggling with anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Some are battling body image issues, sleep disorders, or feelings of isolation , even as they appear to be doing all the “right” things.
“I used to worry about my son getting into the wrong crowd,” says Mrs. Eniola, a mother of two teenagers. Now, I worry more when he’s in his room for hours, barely talking, always online. He’s not partying or misbehaving, but he’s not okay either.”
It’s a shift that many parents are grappling with. Teachers have also observed a rise in emotional sensitivity and burnout among students. Teens are under immense pressure to perform, to fit in, to stay relevant in a fast-paced, always-online world. Social media has become both their stage and their mirror, reflecting back unrealistic ideals they constantly feel the need to live up to.
Disturbingly, many teens today are sleeping less, eating poorly, and withdrawing socially even as they appear outwardly composed. Mr. Okoye Akume, a secondary school counsellor in Nyanya Secondary School said, “We used to expect teenagers to rebel. Now, many of them are simply overwhelmed. They’re not fighting rules; they’re fighting their own thoughts.”
While fewer teens are getting into visible trouble, many are quietly suffering in ways that are harder to detect and harder to treat. Parents are beginning to recognise that a quiet child isn’t always a happy child. High achievement, neat clothes, and good behaviour can easily mask emotional pain.
Caregivers are calling for more open conversations, less pressure, and better emotional education. Many believe schools and families need to focus not just on discipline and academics, but also on building emotional intelligence and resilience.
The truth is, Gen Z isn’t acting out , they’re worn out. And until we start paying closer attention to what’s going on beneath the surface, we risk losing a generation that looks fine from the outside, but is silently falling apart within.
