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Music

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Is a lack of music contributing to mental health problems in our teens?

103 replies

Om83 · 26/02/2026 23:30

So hear me out.. I have just rediscovered some long forgotten favourites from my youth… think 90’s indie, Brit pop, angst stuff.

the words really helped me through lots of emotions, big questions, - obviously Oasis have had a big resurgence recently so I’m a bit late to the party, but just found oasis little by little- ‘the wheels of your life have slowly fallen off…’ ‘I ask myself why am I really here’ and REM night swimming, so beautiful and reflective, just two example so many more. Stereophonics- completely forgot they existed!!. I know every word, every chord of these songs… the words were so much more meaningful back then and have seen me through tough times, like you could feel your angsty feelings and feel better that other people felt them too??

my kids are teens, and don’t really listen to music. We have it playing during dinner, on road trips, but other than the latest craze on TikTok not so much on their own. I feel so old saying it but most of the the music doesn’t seem to hit in the same way now and seems shallower somehow? (Obviously I am not the intended audience for much of it I realise!!)

it’s all about visuals now, less the audio. With music you are kinda alone sitting with your feelings and letting them go, whereas now they just scroll mindlessly through video clips. Music is powerful.

am I wrong to think that so much poor mental health in our kids is due to the fact there is less pouring their souls into music and lyrics to soothe and heal their troubles away??

OP posts:
pinkdelight · 27/02/2026 20:36

There’s also lots of other sub cultures to belong to now beyond music. Comicons are huge, anime too, gaming, lotsa different things that they can define and connect through that have a similar function to the music related identities we had.

gummywitch · 03/03/2026 22:04

Young people have access to so many different kinds of music genres these days, via Tiktok, Spotify,YouTube etc. Its thrown at them and they're being introduced to music spanning decades and seemingly enjoying, alongside new stuff. So more music than ever, not less. Judging by the number of late teens/early 20s youngsters at the Morrissey concert at the 02 on Saturday night, they're enjoying the old stuff. Whereas in the 80s I wouldn't have been seen dead listening to bands my mum and dad listened to. Pop music used to be a big part of teenage rebellion in those days. Do feel like my adult DCs missed out on the joys of the top 30 and TOTP but they do go to gigs and festivals.

Oldraver · 08/03/2026 21:07

I think some teens actually listen to way more music than I ever did

My music listening was restricted to a little bit of radio, weekly TOTP and some music on TV programmes. I did have a record player but couldn't afford to buy lots of music

My and I think most teens have constant access to music via downloaded music

What I will say is that lots of today's music actually talks about mental health a lot

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