Teens' Needs Vary By Age, Research Shows

Adolescents vary a lot by age group, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal reports, as the author reviews some of the newer research. Both changes in behavior and what parents can do to help varies by age.

Teens go through a lot, but there's increasing info on how parents can guide them.
Photo Credit: *trizoultro Flicr*

Rachel Martin

08/12/2016 1:00 p.m.

For example, 11- to 12-year-old may actually backslide in some ways, like spatial learning and organization, the Journal reports. Parents can help by establishing routines or offering organization apps.

Risk-taking also varies by age, according to the article, with high levels of risk-taking in 15- to 16-year-olds, but that behavior slows with 17- and 18-year-olds, with increased brain development.

One particularly hopeful note is a 2015 study, which showed that even when parents got close to their teens later, it made a positive difference in risk-taking, the Journal reported.

You can read the full Journal article here, or watch an interview with the author here.

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