Scroll through apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, and you will inevitably come across post after post of teenagers in the gym “shredding” their bodies, at late night parties, couples making out in the corners, and people showing off their name-brand clothes they don’t even like. These are just parts of the trend of the 21st Century, and what is a trend when you’re not part of it?

Over the years, the connotation of the term “teenager” has gone through some changes. The word has gone from referring to a young adult to being associated with rebellion, aggression, and irresponsibility. The stereotypical teenage life consists of being able to do as one wishes: drinking, sneaking out, rebelling, hanging out with friends, sleeping in, not caring about anything, and doing high-risk activities.

With this in mind, teenagers are stressed out and putting unnecessary pressure on themselves because they don’t express their ‘perfect image’ to the world. If the media does not see their new friend group or their new outfit, then many teens become self-conscious and can’t function because they feel out of place. New versions of themselves are made to fit the new standard the world has produced for them.

Those of us that have figured out how to present ourselves still suffer from the idea of not being good enough. Athletes feel they have to post pictures to prove that they work out and play their sport at an extreme level in order to feel like their peers accept them. Burgeoning student writers have to come up with exciting new ideas, even though the world feels as though it has been drained of all fresh ideas. Many teens have lost the ability to be creative. The media provides us with our every thought. On top of this, AI can now present us with clear versions of our rough ideas that we didn’t put any effort in.

Subsequently, with all of this comes aggression and rebellion. Because things don’t go our way, or we don’t get the things that we want, we strive to make everybody else miserable. Teens today have it easy, but also difficult. Many are struggling because they lack the discipline and critical thinking skills to live a stress free life. We want money and romantic relationships, but also don’t know how to go about finding a partner or even sometimes take care of ourselves. Rebellions in school are more common. Run-aways and kidnappings are becoming more common.

The saying is that “money doesn’t grow on trees,” but we can at least plant the seed of success within ourselves and give it a chance to grow without the influence of social media, stereotypes, and some discipline. Maybe, just maybe, we can achieve that perfect teenage life we so greatly desire.