Teenager facts for kids
A teenager, often called a teen, is a young person between the ages of 13 and 19. They get their name because their age number ends with "teen," like thirteen, fourteen, and so on, up to nineteen. This time in life is a big step between being a child and becoming an adult.
Many societies used to have special ceremonies to mark the change from childhood to adulthood. Today, this period is mostly about growing and learning.
Contents
Growing Up: Puberty and Adolescence
During these years, young people go through many changes. This time of rapid mental and physical growth is called puberty. It's when your body starts to develop into an adult form.
The whole period of transition from childhood to adulthood is known as adolescence. It's a time when you learn more about yourself, your friends, and the world around you.
When Puberty Happens
On average, girls usually start puberty earlier than boys. For girls, puberty often begins around ages 10 or 11 and typically finishes around age 16. Boys usually start puberty a bit later, around age 12, and it lasts until about age 16 or 17. Everyone is different, so these ages can vary.
School Life for Teens
Where you go to school as a teenager can depend on where you live.
Schools in the United States
In the United States, teenagers aged 13 to 14 usually attend middle school. After that, from ages 14 to 18, they typically go to high school. Most teenagers graduate from high school when they are 17 or 18 years old.
Schools in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom (UK), teenagers and younger students often attend secondary school together. This is similar to high school in the US. Teenagers attending secondary school usually finish around age 17 or 18.
Images for kids
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Upper body of a teenage boy. His body is changing to look more like an adult.
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G. Stanley Hall, an important person who studied teenagers.
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Teenage sisters in a painting from 1851.
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Teens using online communication.
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Japanese gyaru girls in Tokyo.
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Portrait of a noble girl from around 1571.
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A teenage girl texting on her phone.
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A young U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War in 1965.
See also
In Spanish: Adolescencia para niños
