We hear a lot about what teens are doing wrong. But that’s not the full story. When you look past the headlines and chatter, there’s another picture forming. It’s made up of everyday moments, small wins, and choices that rarely get noticed. And the research backs it up. The data are pointing to real, positive progress. Here are 10 examples worth noticing.
1. Most teens are not drinking.
Despite common perceptions, most teens choose not to use alcohol or drugs. Surveys show that the majority of high school students report not drinking alcohol, and teen alcohol use has declined significantly over the past two decades. Prevention works, and parents and caregivers play a major role by setting clear expectations, staying engaged, and modeling healthy choices.
2. They care about their mental and emotional well-being.
This generation is more open about stress, anxiety, and emotions, and more willing to name what they’re feeling. Research from organizations such as the CDC and the American Psychological Association has found that many teens are actively looking for tools to cope, whether that’s through mindfulness, peer support, counseling, or trusted adults. When parents and caregivers listen without judgment, they reinforce the idea that caring for your emotional health is a normal and important part of life.
3. They’re more comfortable asking for help.
Compared to past generations, many teens are increasingly willing to reach out when something doesn’t feel right. Reports from pediatric and mental health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, describe more openness among young people to talk with school counselors, mental health professionals, coaches, or mentors when they know those adults are available and supportive. This help?seeking behavior is a sign of strength, not weakness, and adults can encourage it by checking in regularly and making it clear that it’s always okay to ask for support.
4. They value connection in everyday moments.
Those “in-between” times matter more than you might think: quick chats in the car, a few minutes together before bed, or a shared joke while making dinner. Research on developmental assets and family relationships from groups like Search Institute and Harvard’s Graduate School of Education shows that teens are often more willing to open up when conversations feel casual and low-pressure, not like a big “talk.” When adults show up consistently in these small moments, they send a powerful message: you matter, and I’m here.
5. Most teens have supportive friendships.
Many teens say they have at least one friend they can turn to when they’re going through something hard. Surveys from the Pew Research Center, for example, find that a large majority of teens report having at least one close friend they can rely on for emotional support. These emotionally supportive friendships help teens feel understood, less alone, and more confident in handling life’s ups and downs. Parents and caregivers can strengthen this by getting to know their teen’s friends, welcoming them into their home, and talking about what a healthy friendship looks like.
6. They’re immersing themselves in extracurricular activities.
From sports and music to robotics, theater, clubs, and community groups, most teens participate in at least one activity outside of regular classes. Data highlighted by the U.S. Census Bureau show that a large share of young people are involved in extracurriculars, and research on youth development links moderate involvement to better school engagement, stronger social skills, and improved mental well?being. When adults encourage participation, without overloading schedules, they help teens build confidence, discover strengths, and find communities where they feel that they belong.
7. They’re thinking about their futures.
Most teens today are often focused on their goals, values, and what kind of life they want to build. Research from organizations such as Search Institute and Child Trends describes how having future goals and a sense of purpose acts as a protective factor, reducing risky behaviors and supporting healthier decision?making. This might look like exploring careers, talking about college or training programs, thinking about how they want to contribute, or setting short?term goals they can work toward now. Having a sense of direction, even if it’s still forming, gives teens a reason to make healthier decisions in the present.
8. They’re volunteering and giving back.
Many teens are finding ways to serve others, such as through school service projects, community organizations, helping neighbors, or standing up for causes they care about. Studies from the Corporation for National and Community Service and Child Trends link youth volunteering with higher empathy, stronger social skills, and lower rates of substance use. Adults can nurture this by noticing and celebrating teens’ kindness, offering opportunities to help, and joining them in service when possible.
9. They are more informed and intentional about choices.
Teens have access to more information than ever before, such as about health, relationships, substances, and digital life. Reports from agencies like the CDC and SAMHSA, as well as youth and media research from groups such as Common Sense Media, show that many teens want accurate information and use it to make more thoughtful, values?based choices. They are weighing risks and benefits instead of just “going with the crowd.” Parents and caregivers can guide this by asking what teens are seeing and hearing, sharing accurate information, and talking together about how to make decisions that line up with their values.
10. They look up to you.
Even if it doesn’t always seem that way, teens are watching the adults in their lives closely. Parenting and prevention research consistently finds that parental modeling matters: how parents and caregivers handle stress, talk about alcohol and other substances, manage conflict, use their phones, and make decisions shapes how teens approach the same situations. Teens notice more than they let on, and they often borrow scripts and strategies directly from what they see at home.
When we really look, it becomes clear: there’s a lot going right with teens these days. Not because teens have it all figured out, and not because parenting is easy, but because connection, guidance, and consistency matter. At the same time, we know not every teen is feeling okay. Some are struggling quietly, even as others are doing well. For those teens, knowing that a trusted adult is ready to listen, and that support is available through school counselors, healthcare professionals, or other caring adults, can make all the difference. If you’re a parent or caregiver, keep showing up, checking in, and making it clear that help is always an option. There truly is so much to love about this generation, and plenty of reason to feel hopeful about what comes next.
Sources
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) reports on adolescent health behaviors, including trends in alcohol and drug use.
2. USAFacts. “Is teen drug and alcohol use declining in the US?” Summary of national trend data using federal survey sources.
3. CDC and related prevention materials on family involvement and parental expectations as protective factors in youth behavior.
4. CDC youth mental health reports describing trends in adolescent stress, depression, and help-seeking.
5. American Psychological Association. Reports on adolescent stress, coping, and mental health service use.
6. American Academy of Pediatrics. Clinical reports and policy statements on adolescent mental health and access to care.
7. Search Institute. Developmental Assets framework and research on family support, communication, and future aspirations.
8. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Research briefs on family connection, relational health, and adolescent well-being.
9. Pew Research Center. “Teens’ friendships and emotional support networks” and related reports on teen social connections.
10. U.S. Census Bureau. “School Engagement Higher for Children in Extracurricular Activities” and related data on youth participation.
11. Peer-reviewed research on extracurricular involvement and youth outcomes (school engagement, social skills, and mental health).
12. Child Trends. Research briefs on adolescent future orientation, goal setting, and protective factors.
13. Corporation for National and Community Service. Reports on youth volunteering and associated developmental benefits.
14. Common Sense Media. Research on teens, media use, and digital decision-making; SAMHSA and CDC educational materials on youth health information and substance use prevention.
15. Power to the Parent and broader parenting/prevention literature on parental modeling and youth substance use and coping behaviors (powertotheparent.org/parentalmodeling).