There are many trends that exist among teenagers today that make them a lot different than those of other generations.  The age of technology and growing up in a post-September 11 attack world has affected teens tremendously.  Through these experiences and times, trends have developed that shape the way young adults go on each and every day.

One huge trend that has become current is that teenagers have chosen to put down the cigarette.

According to the CDC, from 2011 to 2016, smoking cigarettes has declined among middle and high school students, ¨8 of every 100 high school students (8.0%) reported in 2016 that they smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days—a decrease from 15.8% in 2011.”

On the other hand, the usage of E-Cigarettes, or vaping, has become more common. From 2011 to 2016, vaping among high school students has had a 1.5% increase.

Another trend that has completely changed the world is social media.  Although it can be used for a lot of good like voicing opinions on important issues or tweeting links to charity organizations, it can be very addictive.

Teenagers are very impressionable and anything they see online can have a long-lasting effect on them.  For example, teenagers may have lower self-esteem because they may commonly come across pictures of people who have ¨perfect¨ qualities, which may make them feel self-conscious over time.

Mental health has also become an issue among teenagers.  More of them seemingly suffer from depression and anxiety than those from past generations, which may be a result of circumstances.

The rising of this generation of young adults has shaped the way the world is, the effects being both negative and positive.