The Teenage Brain

The workings of the teenage brain, especially in boys, are considered by many to be something of a mystery. In recent years this complicated subject has been the topic of a number of research projects that have helped to explain some of the issues facing young men today. In ‘The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientists Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults’, Dr. Frances Jensen unveils to workings of the brain in a common sense and easy to read manner.

The frontal lobe houses the ‘executive’ function centres of the brain – the source of insight, judgement, planning and decision making. Brain scans of people of varying ages have identified that brain development – the connectivity of the various components of the brain – moves from the back to the front, meaning that the last area to be ‘connected’ is the frontal lobe, and this connection occurs later in males than it does in females. This helps to explain the sometimes puzzling behaviour exhibited by young men.

Some key points made by Dr. Jensen include:

· Teenagers need between 9 and 10 hours of sleep every night. This is because so much is going on in their lives and they are learning so much. Memory and learning are consolidated during sleep. If your son isn’t getting enough regular sleep this will have an impact on his academic performance.

· A lack of co-curricular activities increases risk-taking behaviour in boys, while involvement in team activities appears to have a ‘protective’ value in keeping boys away from risky behaviour.

· Smoking reduces development of the executive function centres of the brain, linking smoking to increased involvement in risk-taking behaviour in teens.

· A range of studies have indicated that the age at which young people first use alcohol is becoming younger and younger. In the USA in 1965 the average age a person first used alcohol was 17.5 years, today it is 14 years of age. The consumption of alcohol has an impact on brain development in teenagers and inhibits the already under-developed decision making centres of the brain. At times, young men make what can only be considered to be ‘dumb’ decisions. The impairment of alcohol makes the prevalence of such poor decisions more likely.

· Neuroscience is revealing that teen consumption of marijuana is not as inconsequential as previously thought. Aside from marijuana being seen as a ‘gateway drug’ – leading to the use of more harmful substances – the concentration of THC, the psychoactive agent in cannabis, has more than doubled, from around 4% in 1985, to about 10% today. A range of international studies have indicated that teens who have used cannabis are more at risk of future mental health issues than those who have not.

· The wiring of the teen brain makes them more susceptible to addiction. This makes the consumption of drugs and alcohol by teens concerning, and further suggests that the likes of online gaming and social media use does need to be monitored so that it does not become a concern.

Social Media

Dr. Jensen advises parents to remember “the teen brain is a novelty-seeking, risk-taking machine.” Such novelty and risk can also be found in the online world. Indeed, the reward centres of the brain that are stimulated by drug taking are the same centres observed to be stimulated in studies of internet addicts. Teenagers today are the first generation to be exposed to the breath-taking range of digital distractions available today. Jensen notes that “today’s teenagers are the world’s leading authorities on technology, and while adolescents are the savviest of users, they are also the most vulnerable.” The instant gratification that accompanies a new ‘like’, ‘follow’ or ‘share’ holds a level of allure for teens that it is difficult for adults to fully comprehend.

The similarities between drug addiction and internet addiction can also be found in some of the exhibited behaviours and include, for example, neglect of responsibilities, failure to complete school work, concealing behaviour, lying and social isolation.

Digital distractions tempt teens to attempt to multitask – studying or completing homework while their phone or other device is beside them. Skipping from one task to another, in order to respond to messages or update Facebook, simply does not work, despite the likely contrary opinions of your son. Multitasking has been shown in a number of studies to be an impediment to learning, and also releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that further impede learning and the retention of information.

Jensen provides some sage advice for parents:

· Avoid the temptation to multitask by encouraging prioritisation and structure. Make lists of tasks to be accomplished and cross each task off as it is completed.

· When your son comes home from school, have him empty his bag in front of you and assist him to organise and prioritise his homework tasks.

· Set expectations that homework is to be completed without distractions, digital or otherwise. If tasks are completed while your son has his phone next to him or with the television on in the background, the learning will not be cemented or retained to the extent it would be without these distractions.

Developing habits such as these will equip your son with a range of organisational skills that will assist him to be successful in all areas of life. Rather than approach the issue of digital distraction as something your son needs to be punished for, think of it as support he requires in order to stay balanced, well rounded and comfortable in social environments.

Role Modelling

Social experiments have concluded that teenagers model a lot of their behaviour on the adults whom are significant to them, and with whom they spend considerable amounts of time. Consequently, parental attitudes and behaviour in relation to drugs and alcohol have a powerful influence on the attitude and behaviour of teenagers. In relation to alcohol consumption, Jensen states “Those who are monitored closely by their parents or guardians and who are given clear rules are less likely to abuse alcohol. Conversely, those parents who are less strict and more accepting of adolescent drinking were more likely to have teens who engaged in risky behaviour in college. Teens with lax parents were also more likely to surround themselves with friends who abused alcohol.” In terms of addressing drug use, she revealed “Recent research shows that fear of losing their parents’ trust and respect is the greatest deterrent to adolescents’ drug use. They won’t tell you this, of course, but when asked by researchers what prevents them from experimenting, a majority of non-drug-using teenagers say it’s because their parents would be disappointed in them if they did. So, take advantage of this power, however unacknowledged by your son.”

What can you do? Role modelling safe and appropriate behaviour is key. This applies to all aspects of life – from sleeping habits, diet and social media use, through to the consumption of alcohol. The research Jensen quotes identified positive impacts from parents talking with their teens about drinking and other risk-taking behaviour.

Don’t hide from discussing any concerns you have about your son’s behaviour with him. However, the manner in which you approach such discussions is crucial. Having a conversation in which you are ‘equal partners’ will help to engage your son, whereas a lecture will not. If the conversation is becoming heated, agree to some ‘timeout’ and return to the topic when you are both in a better frame-of-mind. You will at times hear responses and details from your son that you don’t really want to. Your reactions to hearing such information are critical; if you can remain calm, acknowledge your disappointment, thank your son for sharing, and respond in a rational manner, you create an environment in which he is more likely to engage with you in the future; if you respond out of anger or frustration, you lessen the likelihood of future dialogue. Teenage boys generally do want to have these discussions, even if their attitude and approach might suggest otherwise.