What Is Teen Development?

Puberty differs for each teenager. Not only does it affect the body, but it also affects the mental. Find tips to help you manage teen development

*Health information sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. co-pay.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.

As a teenager, you go through many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. The biggest change is puberty, the process of becoming sexually mature. It usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys. As your body changes, you may have questions about sexual health.

During this time, you start to develop your own unique personality and opinions. Some changes that you might notice include:

  • Increased independence from your parents
  • More concerns about body image and clothes
  • More influence from peers
  • Greater ability to sense right and wrong

All of these changes can sometimes seem overwhelming. Some sadness or moodiness can be normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless, or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem. If you need help, talk to your parents, school counselor, or health care provider.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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