Where have all the teenagers gone?

[Aridane]

Since lockdown, I have been out daily for exercise (and food shopping), taking different routes for variety.

And during this time, I have not spotted a single teenager.

Where have they all gone?!? It’s like a plague has wiped them out.

Pre lockdown - even in school holidays - there were plenty of teenagers around (you couldn’t miss them).

Are they now indoors, online? (I know my nephew was).

Is this dearth of teenagers unique to my area (south east London)?

Other age groups are reasonably well represented

I have two teenagers.

DD (almost 15) has discovered the joy of jigsaws and has spent hours doing the most complex ones she can lay her hands on. She has been out filming tiktoks in the street with her little brother as cameraman, and seeing friends - socially distant by one sitting on the kerb on one side of the street and hte other sitting opposite. Lots of facetiming. They have also been writing each other proper letters and sending them through the post for the novelty factor.

DS (17) hasn't been out much, goes for walks in the evening with us sometimes and playing online D&D with his friends.

I've seen loads of teenagers round here during the lockdown when the stricter rules were in place. On quad bikes, trail motor bikes, picnicking, out in large groups etc. Have posted about it on other threads .

Hiding in the bedroom, binge watching netflix and eating all the food here. 3 younger dc join us on daily walks, teen usually joins in once a week.
I think more will be noticable now they can meet up with a mate.

Living their best lives at moment!

I think I have teenage girls somewhere in the house - don't see them very often but like all nocturnal animals I hear them on their quest for food after dark.

When they finally do join the land of the living it's good to see they are taking care of their appearance with the careful application of fake tan ( don't see enough daylight for a natural one ) immaculate make up - YouTube is so educational. And seeing which are the most natural looking fake eyelashes! Then the hair styling commences before they are finally ready for a very long zoom chat with friends.

One has announced she is going for a socially distanced walk with her best friend tomorrow- first time she has left the house since leaving school in March!! DH offered to take her temperature he fears she is ill.

Poor sods.
I have 18,19 and 21 year olds here.
They have stuck to the rules but it cant be easy for them as they are normally very independent and mobile (19 year old in particular catches easy jets flights like buses).
Relationships on hold.
Careers on hold.
They havent moaned once though.

Two teens here, so proud of them they haven’t complained once!

DS18 still working a few shifts a week at his weekend job. Exams, Residential sports trip, Prom, Festivals, trip to NYC all cancelled and he’s just getting on with it. Been great with his youngest sisters too. Lots of Xbox time however!

DD 16 is following a pretty full school schedule. Lots of tiktocs and binge watching Netflix. Den building and hanging out with younger sister

Both join us and younger sister on walks.

Finally - I spotted x3 teenagers yesterday. OK, not in my part of London . They were boys and doing tricks on their bikes - well, riding on the back wheel with the front wheel raised.

Mine is trying to decide whether to take up his place at NTU in September. But mostly he is sleeping and eating.

mostly he is sleeping and eating.
and growing.