PERSPECTIVE
An age that’s not clearly defined - a strange feeling, yet sometimes the best one. Some moments feel good, others feel bad. It’s the age where we make many mistakes and learn many lessons. Some act childish, some go astray, while others just try to become better in the eyes of Allah.
When a 12-year-old steps into the teenage years, they hardly understand what’s happening. Their mind and emotions are still developing. They make many mistakes, often without realising it until later. Today’s teenagers are fighting silent battles: stress, anxiety, depression, confusion, and loneliness.
Pressure and expectations
Many parents want their children to be the best: the topper, the doctor, the one who makes them proud. But in this race, they forget that their child is a human being, not a robot. The pressure of studies, responsibilities, and comparisons shatters a teenager’s peace. I’ve heard stories of students who take their own lives because they can’t bear the weight anymore.
Parents often don’t see how tired their children are, how lonely they feel after hours of studying and trying to meet expectations. Children start thinking, “Why can’t my parents see me? Why do they compare me to others?” That comparison kills confidence. It takes away a child’s identity, their creativity, their spark.
Dear parents, listen to your children before they stop talking. Give them the freedom to choose their own path. Support them while they are still good and don’t wait until they fall into bad things.
Social media and the lost peace
Another problem is social media. Parents give phones to their children at a very young age, and slowly those screens become their whole world. Kids can’t eat, study, or even sleep without their phones. They get addicted to games, reels, and the fake lives they see online.
If we look at villages, people there don’t depend on social media. They work hard, stay connected with real people, and live simpler lives, and maybe that’s why they are stronger and more peaceful. Meanwhile, in cities, people scroll for hours yet feel empty inside.
Social media shows fake smiles and fake happiness. Teenagers start comparing themselves to others and think, “Why isn’t my life like theirs?” But behind every perfect post lies a story we don’t see - a struggle, a sadness, or even a lie.
Searching for love outside the home
When teenagers don’t receive love and understanding from their families, they start searching for it elsewhere. They look for comfort, care, and peace in friendships or relationships. And while love isn’t wrong - in fact, love is beautiful when it’s pure and respectful - today’s relationships have lost that meaning. Now, it’s more about using each other for attention or comfort. And when things end, both sides are left hurt and empty. We call it love, but it’s often just loneliness trying to find a home. Real love teaches patience, respect, and sacrifice - and only the love connected to Allah remains pure.
Losing purpose and faith
Today’s youth has forgotten its real purpose. We were created to learn, grow, and follow Allah’s path, but many are wasting their time on meaningless things. Faith is fading, ego is rising, and patience is disappearing. Some people act as if they’ll live forever. They don’t think about how their actions affect others. But life always brings everything back - if we do wrong, we’ll face the consequences, and if we do good, we’ll receive the reward for it.
Even I’ve had moments when I asked, “Why always me?” But then I remember there are people with no food, no shelter, and no comfort. And yet, Allah is still with them. So I remind myself that Allah is with me too.
The real definition of growth
Growth doesn’t come from listening to motivational videos or reading quotes. It comes from applying what you learn. Many people make the same mistakes again and again; they feel inspired, but never change. If you truly want to grow, start by respecting others, caring for people, and learning from your mistakes. Don’t judge anyone because you never know what they’re going through. Listen more, help more, and be kind. Because at the end of the day, Allah is watching who truly tries to become better - not perfect, just better.
Teenage years are confusing, painful, beautiful, and full of lessons. We all fall, but those who rise again with faith, patience, and kindness are the ones who truly grow.