The evolution of life on Earth can be quite fascinating. For one, giraffes learnt to sleep standing due to the threat of prey catching them. So much so, that a group of giraffes at the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge in the Western Cape have developed painful calluses due to how much napping they get to do with no threats in the enclosed space.
There have been numerous reports of rats in New York adapting to the conditions of the bustling city, to such an extent there are arguments that a new species is forming.
Humans have had the same trajectory that seems to exhibit signs of maturing faster than expected. A study published in The New York Times reported that girls are starting to hit puberty much quicker with periods coming in for nine-year-olds and breasts forming for girls as young as six and seven.
The publication stresses that neurological developments have been happening much earlier for preteens. Researchers are still looking into how changes in nutrition and health affect Generation Z.
These shifts become an indicator of human life adapting to the ever-changing world, however, it comes at a price. More teenagers are affected by stressors they should not experience so early in life. During adolescence, our brains form what is called the limbic system with the primary role of regulating our emotions and sexual stimulation.
The part of the brain that helps ensure you can deal with this new development is the prefrontal cortex, which tweens do not have, resulting in preteens experiencing stressful development they are not equipped to cope with.
Inasmuch as early puberty didn’t seem to have this much of an effect on previous generations, what is unique to Gen Z is information overload. Today’s teens are bombarded with a lot of information, which Psychology Today identifies as a key driver of the increase in mental health issues.
Information overload from social media platforms, podcasts and television can increase anxiety and mental fatigue, which kids are not best equipped to manage and confront. The stressful environment kids of today are exposed to has become a Molotov cocktail waiting to explode, especially with the pressure for parents to keep up with the multiple avenues by which children can experience triggers.
As teen suicides continue to rise, as with the case of the multiple deaths of the pupils at Tsakane Secondary School, South Africans do not have the best understanding of suicide. Studies show that locals view poor mental health as the result of poor faith and willpower. This has created a stigma for those experiencing these issues to experience physical and verbal abuse. Other than causing low self-esteem, it also harms people’s ability to cope with the issues they may face with a decline in their mental health. Even when people may reach out.
When this comes to suicide, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) found that numerous myths deter people from understanding it better. These include misconceptions that those who attempt or commit suicide are led purely by stress, they are selfish and that success or intelligence mitigates the desire to harm yourself. All of this limits the ability of parents or guardians to accurately help teens who might exhibit signs of suicide.
As the issue got worse during the pandemic, there was a small window of hope on TikTok. As the app grew more popular as people hopped on while struggling with isolation, children used it to cope with small stressors like understanding schoolwork. They found ways to simplify topics around world events pertaining to the economy, racism and even sexism. There was also a trend of teenage girls taking to TikTok to dance to videos of their boyfriends being verbally abusive as their version of #MeToo.
However, the space quickly became incredibly toxic as adult users would start to sexualise children in the comment sections of their videos. Making the space that was a reprieve yet another high risk for worsened issues they are not equipped to deal with. Much like anything that is addictive, extended use of social media gives little room for teens to notice when they get affirmation from likes and comments when experiencing mental breakdowns. Mashable reported on TikTokers using their large platforms as a substitute for therapy.
Children become susceptible to misdiagnosing themselves and further worsening any real issues they may face. Especially since these influencers spread misinformation by condensing serious topics on mental health for quick clips that can help them go viral.
Mental health, high stress and a chaotic web environment have worsened the issues facing teens today. Heeding the call to help families, students and staff of Tsakane Secondary, SADAG released a statement imploring people to identify warning signs of suicide in teens. They said that it can be seen through how they express themselves about killing themselves or having suicide ideation. Parents are encouraged to be aware of drastic changes in how they sleep, eat or having no energy. Agitation and giving away prized possessions is another behavioural shift to be concerned about.
Parents are encouraged to open communication with children regardless of how many signs of suicide are seen. They are also encouraged to call SADAG’s Suicide Helpline (0800 567 567) for assistance.
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