Meta description: Free time can get many teens into trouble, which is why it is important for them to use their time wisely.
Teens’ free time is different from that of their parents. Free time is not the same as unstructured time or even free-choice time. Free-choice time occurs when a teen decides how to spend their time, but the choice is limited by what’s available. For example, if there are no other teens around, free-choice time means playing video games by oneself. Unstructured time occurs when a teen has no plans and no pressure to be anywhere at any specific moment in time. This might mean sleeping in late and then lounging around watching TV all day on a Saturday morning.
Free time is different from unstructured and free-choice time because it’s defined by having the opportunity to do what you want to do — for no other reason than because you want to do it. This can include hanging out with friends, pursuing an interest or hobby, getting involved in community activities and going on dates.
As teens grow older, they develop more straightforward ideas about who they are and what they want to do with their lives. This can lead them to explore interests outside of school and even consider future careers.
If you’re a parent of a teen or preteen, you may have noticed that your child has been spending more time unsupervised and with friends. And if you’re like most parents, you may also be wondering what they’re doing with that time.
Teenagers hang out with friends for six hours and forty minutes on average a day. That’s almost as much time as teens spend sleeping (eight hours and 35 minutes). Outside of school and homework, teens spend more time with friends than on any other activity except television viewing.
Free Time Gets Teens Into Trouble. How to Solve It?
Free time is the period of time when you are not working or studying. It is natural that you enjoy this time and do whatever you want, whether spending time with friends or watching TV at home.
Most students are given a lot of homework every day, so they have little spare time to spend on their own. They are also involved in many activities after school, like sports and music. And when there is some free time, most of them prefer to be in the company of friends rather than staying at home.
However, once teens have free time on their hands, they start looking for ways to get into trouble. Perhaps it is because they feel bored or cannot find anything helpful to do with their free time. As a result, many parents are concerned about how teenagers spend their free time and try to keep them away from trouble by keeping them busy all the time.
Parents can help their children manage their spare time. Many teenagers tend to waste their spare time by surfing the Internet all day long or playing online games instead of doing something productive with their lives.
Adolescence is often a time of risk-taking, as young people experiment with new ideas and behaviours. But the freedom that comes with having a driver’s license and a car, or being able to stay home alone, can lead to trouble. Parents should set rules for their teens and enforce them so that everyone knows what to expect. Here are some tips:
Keep Tabs on Your Teen
It is crucial that parents know where their children are, even if they call them from work. Teens should not be allowed out of the house unsupervised unless parents know where they’re going and when they’ll be back. If your teen wants more freedom, don’t give it to her/ him. Let them demonstrate that they can abide by the rules before allowing them greater leeway. The same goes for driving privileges — teens need to show that they are responsible drivers before they’re allowed to go places independently.
Set Rules About Friends
In order to be able to support their teens, parents must know their teen's friends, including where they live and how they are related. Parents should meet their child’s friends and discourage socializing in large groups or private homes without parental supervision.
FAQ
When teens have free time, what should they do?
Different teenagers have different needs. Most people spend their leisure time doing things like shopping, going to parties, spending time with friends, playing video games, using social networks, texting, watching movies, etc.
How important is free time for teens?
Mental health and wellbeing are improved by having moderate amounts of free time. A lack of free time leads to stress, and a lack of purpose and productivity leads to a lack of time.
Is screen time problematic for teenagers?
Teenagers spend far too much time in front of screens. Getting enough exercise, doing homework, and spending time with family and friends may be hampered by excessive screen time.
What is the ideal amount of free time for students?
It turns out that 3 and a half hours of extra free time per day is just right.
