Adolescents

Adolescents are individuals undergoing the developmental transition between childhood and adulthood. The most commonly used age range is 10 to 19 years, as defined by the World Health Organization, though some frameworks extend adolescence into the early 20s and use the term youth for older teens. Puberty marks many physical changes during this period, including rapid growth, development of secondary sexual characteristics, and shifts in body composition, with timing varying by genetics, sex, and environment.

Cognitive and emotional development during adolescence involves substantial reorganization of the brain. Improvement in abstract thinking, planning, and problem solving is accompanied by ongoing maturation of the prefrontal cortex, while the limbic system can heighten risk-taking and emotion processing. Identity formation and autonomy become central tasks, as teens explore values, relationships, and roles within families and peer groups. Social life increasingly centers on friends and digital networks, influencing behavior and self-perception.

Health considerations are central to adolescence. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety often emerge in these years, and sleep patterns, nutrition, and physical activity have long-term effects on well-being. Risk behaviors, including unsafe driving, substance use, sexual activity, and exposure to online risks, require attention from families, schools, and health services. Education and transition planning, access to quality health care, and supportive environments help adolescents develop skills for healthy adulthood.