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Challanges faced by teenagers today are significantly greater than those faced by the past

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Challanges faced by teenagers today are significantly greater than those faced by the past
THE CHALLENGES FACED BY TEENAGERS TODAY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER THAN THOSE FACED BY THE YOUTH OF THE PAST The generation of teenagers today are known to face challenges that are greatly different in comparison to those faced in the past. For example, Savannah Rivers, a girl who started using drugs and alcohol since she was 10, has been addicted since. As unusual and shocking this may seem, this is not the only story from the endless cases of underage drug and alcohol use. A number of teenagers today are familiar with using drugs and alcohol, but unfamiliar with the consequences that may follow. As well as drug and alcohol use, depression and bullying also have major impacts on a teenager’s mentality and actions. Overall, these problems are influenced and centre around the social welfare of society. Today because of these problems, it is evident to see teenagers are faced with challenges that are significantly greater than those by the youth of the past. Firstly, today underage drinking and drugs is not uncommon, and often lead to disastrous consequences. In 2009, it is estimated that 7.3 million teenagers around the world between ages 12 and 16 have tried alcohol. Realistically, this is an alarming number of people. There are various reasons why alcohol and drugs are strictly limited to people of the ages 18 and up. Over 5,000 people under the age of 18 die each year from alcohol influenced accidents such as car accidents, homicides, suicides as well as alcohol poisoning. Furthermore, Dr Clark DB from the US National Library of Medicine states, “Exposure to drugs and alcohol to the adolescent brain may interrupt the course of brain maturation and key processes of brain development.” In other words, alcohol and drugs have many serious effects on the undeveloped teenage mind. These impacts from drugs and alcohol on a premature brain can possibly leave lifelong and irreparable disabilities. Secondly, depression among teenagers has significantly

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