Monday Myths: Teenage Years

‘Monday Myths’ is a new segment on Missy.ie, where we state facts about certain topics, and you decide if you believe them to be true or false. We’ll then let you know whether it’s true or not.

This week’s topic is…Teenage Years.

Let’s dive in to some common myths about your teenage years…

Your teenage years are the best years of your life…

False!

While your teenage years are fun because you get to spend most days with your friends, your teenage years can be awkward and uncomfortable. You are still figuring out who you are. Don’t worry if you aren’t loving your teenage years as much as you thought you would!

Teenagers are irresponsible…

False!

Teenagers tend to all be painted with the same brush which is very unfair. Just like no two adults are the same, the same goes for teenagers. Some teenagers have more sense than some adults out there! It all comes down to who you are as a person.

Teenage brains are wired to take risks…

True!

During your teenage years your brains under goes a re-wiring. The last part to be finished is the part of your brain used to weigh up risks and make balanced decisions, so teenagers brains are a little foggy when it comes to assessing a potential risk.

Teenagers naturally fall asleep late and wake up late…

True!

Melatonin, the hormone that is responsible for making you sleepy is released later in the night in the teenage brain and hangs around longer the next day. So no teenagers aren’t just lazy, it all starts in the brain!

Teenagers have always existed…

False!

Of course there have always been people between the age of 13 and 19 but the word “teenager” wasn’t developed until 1899 and everything we now associate with teenagers was created in the 1950s in the post war era.

Had you come across any of these teenage myths before?