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Feelings and confidence12–18 years

A teenager with low self-confidence

Many teenagers doubt themselves. Calm support, noticing real strengths and giving real responsibility help a teenager believe in themselves.

What you may notice

  • They often say 'I can't', 'I'm no good at anything' or 'Others are better'.
  • Fear of failing makes them avoid new things, competitions and answering in class.
  • They are very hard on themselves even after a small mistake.
  • They brush off praise: 'You're only saying that to make me feel better'.
  • They keep comparing themselves with classmates or people on social media.

The rest of this guide is for subscribers

Possible reasons, step-by-step actions, what to avoid, how to use your child's strengths, and when to see a specialist.