Teen Development

Summary

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

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Related Issues

• 5 Ways to Promote a Positive Body Image for Kids Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Communication and Your 13-to 18-Year-Old Nemours Foundation
• Parenting Teens: Guiding Kids Through Turbulent Years National Institutes of Health
• The Power of Peers: Who Influences Your Health? National Institutes of Health
• Understanding Your Teen’s Emotional Health American Academy of Family Physicians
• What Is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician? American Academy of Pediatrics

Patient Handouts

• Adolescent development Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Am I in a Healthy Relationship? (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Bedwetting (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Body Image and Self-Esteem (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Body Odor (For Young Men) Boston Children’s Hospital
• Body Odor (For Young Women) Boston Children’s Hospital
• Gynecomastia (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Is My Penis Normal? (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Removing Pubic Hair (For Young Women) Boston Children’s Hospital
• Sexual Attraction and Orientation (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Talking to Your Doctor (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know National Institute of Mental Health
• What’s the Right Weight for My Height? (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Why Are My Breasts Different Sizes? Nemours Foundation
• Why Are My Breasts Sore? (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Why Is My Voice Changing? (For Teens) Nemours Foundation

Find an Expert

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• KidsHealth Nemours Foundation

Start Here

• Child Development: Teenagers (15-17 Years of Age) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Growth and Your 13-to 18-Year-Old Nemours Foundation
• Stages of Adolescence American Academy of Pediatrics
• Young Teens (12-14 Years of Age) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Adolescent Development National Institutes of Health

Reference Desk

• Female Reproductive System (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Male Reproductive System Nemours Foundation

Journal Articles

• Teen Development