For teens today, however, these common feelings of judgment and comparison are magnified by the presence of social media. New research from the Pew Research Center finds that most American teens use YouTube and TikTok daily, with 1 in 5 teens saying they were on one of the two platforms “almost constantly.”

As we close out 2025, we find ourselves reflecting on a year marked by both deep connection and real uncertainty. From growing concerns about teen mental health to the presence of ICE in our cities and the weight many families are carrying, this year has asked a great deal of us.

Many teens in Chicago are navigating more than typical adolescent challenges. They’re grappling with fear, uncertainty, and questions about their safety, identity, and belonging as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity increases across our city. 

Right now, many families in Chicago are living with a very real, tangible fear. A knock on the door, a loved one taken into detention, a child separated from their parents. Each day, I hear of another story, see another headline. 

The transition from the warm, freedom-filled days of summer to the routine-oriented and academic-centered expectations of the school year can feel like a huge — and sometimes jarring — shift.

Death is a natural part of the life cycle, yet talking about it with children can feel daunting. Learn how to approach this conversation with tips from a therapist.

Dealing with anxiety alongside the change in weather is far more common than you might expect. Keep reading for our tips and advice on how to manage summertime stress.

When AI replaces the act of learning important skills — like language development and communication — we are not only losing our ability to write and form sentences, but we’re losing our ability to create our own thoughts and form our own beliefs.