How do today's teenage stresses compare with the kind of things that stressed you out when you were a teen? Talk to the National Citizen Service and you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

We've been asked by the team at NCS, the country's flagship youth programme for 16&17 year olds, to find out about Mumsnetters' opinions on the kinds of things that stress your teenagers out and how this compares to the trials and tribulations of growing up when you were the same age.

How different is life for today's teenagers? Do you think young people today are under more pressure to keep up with trends and technology? Or perhaps academic expectations are more stressful now than they were when you were young? Are you glad that social media wasn't as important when you were a teenager? What about things that really stressed you out that don't feature in modern teenage life at all?

Natasha Kizzie from NCS Trust says: "The start of the new academic year is particularly challenging for 16 and 17 year olds today. They are not only dealing with the day to day pressures of social media, coursework and exams, but they're also tasked with laying the foundations for their future after school or college. With pressure growing, it can be difficult for both teens and their parents to take a step back when it comes to making decisions."

"NCS is a truly unique experience that takes teens out of their comfort zone with lots of new experiences, an away from home stay and the opportunity to make lasting new friends friendships. It is an invaluable opportunity to gain confidence and develop the skills they need to follow their dreams."

Share your thoughts on this thread and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Please note your comments may be included on NCS's pages on MN, their social media channels, and possibly elsewhere, so please only post if you're comfortable with this.

Thanks & good luck,
MNHQ

As many others have said, technology today makes life far more stressful for today's teens. As a mother of a 20 year old, 18 year old and 16 year old, I can see how social media "rules" dictate their lives. For example, if one of my teens sees a post or receives a notification on Facebook, they need to respond but it is a delicate process - they don't want to be seen to see and like a post too quickly, but want to reply reasonably quickly after a batch of people have commented. Then there is the "friends" list - do they accept everyone who friend requests them, if they have been somewhere with others who have since "friended" close friends, there is a whole etiquette as to who you can request etc.

In addition, it is the exception nowadays for a teenager not to have a mobile phone. Whilst it provides a sense of comfort in that they can reach home to keep parents up to date with movements, they are "contactable" by friends, work etc 24/7, which can be very stressful.

Personally, I think it is far harder for today's teens than it was for me. I was a teenager in the mid 80's and feel I had more freedom than mine do today.