Summary

Adolescence is a transformative period of growth and opportunity, not a problem to be solved, as societal narratives often misjudge young people. Science reveals that puberty shifts sleep patterns and social perception, while adolescent brains, though still developing until the mid-twenties, are adept at decision-making by age 16. Ultimately, social media plays a minimal role in youth mental health compared to how young people perceive themselves and how society views them.