👉️ On Tuesday, I shared some advice from UPenn’s Vice Provost:

👏 Many of you reached out in agreement, including one Med School professor:

👀 If you missed this story, you can catch up on it here.

In today’s issue:

📊 Flash poll: Time to teach life skills.

🫣 News you need to know: Why life is so hard for teens these days.

🧮 Notable nibbles: AI can be “erratic”, kids don’t want to be accountants, you don’t want them to be “neet”, and more!

^{FLASH POLL}

^{NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW}

It’s never been harder to be a teen. But why?

According to a Pew Research Center study that was published this week, both parents and kids think that it’s harder to be a teen today than it was 20 years ago.

Ok — we can pretty much all agree on that. 🤷

But the most interesting insights this research revealed were the reasons why — and how those reasons differed between parents and kids. 👇

When parents were asked why it’s harder to be a kid these days, their top response was “social media” (41%), followed by “technology in general” (26%).

But when kids were asked the same question, their top response was “more pressures and expectations” (31%), followed by “social media” (25%)

Throughout the course of this entire research project, 65% of parents mentioned some form of technology when explaining why life is harder for kids these days.

That number dropped to 39% for teens, meaning they’re largely blaming their hardships on factors that have nothing to do with technology. 🤯 

Why do you think that is? 🧐 

Hit reply and let me know!

Story Source: Pew Research Center

^{NOTABLE NIBBLES}

I’ve got my finger on the pulse of stories that matter to you 👇️

🧑‍⚕️ Don’t send your kid to school with a fever: Duh. 🤦 And here are 4 less-obvious things your kid’s school nurse wants you to know.

🧠 When it comes to mental health, the time is NOW: If you want to avoid mental health issues for your kids in their adulthood, address them while they’re still kids.

🤖 AI is as “erratic” a humans: If your kid is using AI to help with their math homework, you might want to check their work before they turn it in.

🫘 Gen Z doesn’t want to count beans: Kids are no longer interested in becoming accountants.

⛔ You don’t want your kid to be “neet”: And no, this has nothing to do with being tidy.

🎬 Plans for this weekend?: Inside Out 2 is officially the only animated film to ever hit $1 billion at the box office. My guess is it’s pretty darn good. 🤷

👂 ICYMI: Teach your kids to stop responding — and start understanding.

Hope you enjoyed today’s issue!

Until next time,

Ivy

CEO — Prequel

Follow my journey on LinkedIn