Teens have seen their daily lives upended. The lack of external structure has caused teens to feel confused and lethargic. One teen says, “Overall, I feel like I’ve gotten super lazy….I don’t usually feel like going outside, and some days sit on my bed and chill.”

Ungraded school assignments and lack of in-person social accountability are inhibiting teens’ability to focus and be motivated on studies or other projects. One teen shares how his schoolwork is done from bed: “I wake up, eat breakfast and do everything else I'd normally do, and then I get back in bed and go to class."

Teens desire variety in routines and things to look forward to, but during quarantine, the days blend together. Interviewees mentioned that normally, with school work, teens have something to look forward to on the weekends. However, in quarantine, this reward of the weekend is less compelling. One teen remarks, “All the days blur together...I don’t want to get up, I don’t want to live the same day over.” 

Some teens are successful in building their own routines, and are enjoying the freedom allowed by an open schedule. One teen shares, "I like doing my own stuff - I can have my own schedule... Now that I have my own time, I can get my stuff done, and then I can relax."

Teens are finding hobbies and new rituals to fill their time. One psychologist shares that teens who are doing the best have a passion project that they are throwing themselves into, like a new pet, woodworking, photography, or the stock market. 

These new activities are filling in gaps of time, motivation, and purpose. One teen shares, “I started sewing again, making clothes, and being more creative. One of the only positives of being in quarantine is finding old hobbies.”   

Teens are also finding new ways to celebrate big events. Teens have listened to President Obama’s commencement speech or danced at Some Good News prom. One teen shares, "In our friend group we’ve had two birthdays, we all drove to their houses and stayed six feet apart and sang happy birthday...”  

Some teens are using screens as a form of escapism. Teens who were prone to anxiety, depression, or ADHD before COVID-19 are now “taking [screen use] to the extreme. One teen remarks, ”I do know using technology is bad [for my health]… but my sadness outweighs my health, so I’m zoning into the games, music, or TV.”

Other teens are turning to social media as a creative outlet to connect with others, educate themselves about the pandemic, and express themselves. For example, teens are sharing TikTok dances, reconnecting with old friends via Houseparty, and playing social video games like Minecraft.

Screentime is negatively affecting teens’ physical wellbeing. Between virtual school and social activities, teens are physically exhausted and experiencing migraines. Schools only schedule 30-minute classes to support less screen time. One teen aptly acknowledges her screen fatigue, “I’m done with screens.” 

Teens are struggling with the inability to see friends. One teen remarks how her biggest need is to socialize with her friends. Many teens’ parents do not allow them to see their friends in person and “feel suffocated” in the home. One teen reflects,"After quarantine, I want to hang out with my friends a lot more... I'm gonna be more extroverted." 

Teens are using the internet to reconnect with friends or meet new people. However, some find it difficult to build and maintain relationships virtually. One teen remarks, “I find it awkward to call my friends.”

One psychologist shares that although many kids are interacting with close friends over the internet, they are lacking the important school day interactions with random peers.

Teens are feeling many negative emotions, including apathy, lethargy, lack of motivation, uncertainty, and in some cases, increased levels of anxiety and depression. Teens feel they are accomplishing less, which can be detrimental to their self esteem. Teens are unable to see friends and celebrate big events, making them feel disappointed and trapped. 

Normal life has been upended and no one really has the answers. With so much uncertainty about the future, even parents’stresses have been magnified. One psychologist shares how, “Even kids who have warm and nurturing relationship with their parents experience more mutual frustration.”

Teens need time and space to process current events. One teen says, “Don’t give us more homework, don’t give us more things to do. Why add another things to our lives to make it harder?”

A psychologist shares how some parents desire their child to come out of this with more skills; perhaps, he says, their child will learn a new language. However, that psychologist emphasizes, “This is a time about surviving. If you get through with your mental health intact, you’ve established a great deal of resiliency.”