Social and Cognitive Development in Adolescence

Adolescence and the Social Brain

  1. Adolescence is a major period of transition from dependence to independence
  2. Teens undergo many physical, behavioral, and emotional changes
  3. This is a time of MAJOR brain development
  4. They move from spending more time with family, to spending more time with peers
  5. This is a time where the social brain really develops

Adolescent Brain Development

  1. Adolescents are experiencing significant growth and changes in areas of the brain known to relate to judgement and inhibition (prefrontal cortex), and emotional experiences (amygdala)
  2. Some think that there is an imbalance between the emotional brain and the rational brain in adolescence
  3. Adolescents can problem solve and think abstractly as well as adults by their mid teens (15-16)
  4. BUT their ability to put solutions into practice, especially in situations where there are social pressures and risk/reward, it far more limited. 

Risky Behavior

  1. Teens really enjoy the feeling of the reward that comes from taking risks
  2. Social influence drives risky behavior in adolescents
    • They are far more likely to engage in risky behavior around peers or if they think peers are watching.

Social Media

  1. Most teens are using social media including YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat (95%)
  2. Almost half of teens say they use social media almost constantly (46%)and more than half (54%) say it would be difficult to give it up
  3. There are many pros to social media and many cons
    • PROS
      • allows for connection with other, particular for those teens that have social anxiety, social struggles. 
      • allows for sharing 
      • can support self-expression
    • CONS
      • exposure to inappropriate content. over 20% of 5th graders have stated they have seen highly violent content in their feeds. 
      • Cyber Bullying
      • Privacy with apps
      • interference with life activities and family connection
      • Persuasive design aims to keep teens scrolling.
  4. Teens need to be taught how to manage technology and social media just like anything else that we know requires high levels of impulse control

How Does CHD Affect Development in Adolescence?

  1. Many children with CHD have developmental struggles and these tend to persist into the teenage years
  2. Individuals with CHD may show differences in the development of their prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain involved in judgement and inhibition.
  3.  Some of the areas of weakness (e.g., attention, planning, reading comprehension) may not become evident until kids are older and in the teen years.
  4. Mental health struggles often rear their heads in adolescence and kids with CHD are at higher risk for such difficulties. 
  5. Teens with CHD may have more struggles with peers

So What Do We Do?

Our Parent Education Video on the Cognitive and Social Development in Adolescence

Parent Handout - Adolescent Development and CHD - Click here for Parent Handout PDF