Naperville, Illinois — A viral discussion among educators has sparked national reflection on the mental and emotional state of today’s teens. It began when a teacher on Reddit’s r/teachers forum asked a simple but haunting question: “Does anyone else notice that a lot of older teens are dead inside?” The replies poured in — thousands of comments from teachers, parents, and students, all pointing to the same troubling reality.
The original post described high school students as “like non-player characters in a game” — moving through life without enthusiasm, ambition, or emotion. “They don’t laugh or smile,” the teacher wrote. “They have friends but don’t talk. They just exist.”
Educators And Students Speak Out
Teachers from across the country echoed the concern. One educator said that students seem obsessed with wealth, noting, “The boys want to be entrepreneurs, and the girls talk about marrying elite men.” Another teacher added that students struggle to even answer basic personal questions like what their hobbies or interests are.
Many blamed the decline in real human interaction. One commenter wrote, “Growing up, my neighborhood was full of kids playing outside. Now, it’s empty. No one talks. Everyone’s on screens. People aren’t learning to navigate humans — just systems.” The teacher described this change as a “fundamental lack of love” in modern childhood.
Depression, Screen Time, And A Sense Of Powerlessness
The thread took a darker turn as users shared personal experiences with depression and hopelessness. One teacher said, “I was diagnosed with depression this year. I realized I feel powerless. The world feels out of control.” Another added, “Teens are constantly online, comparing themselves, being monitored by parents, and living under constant pressure. Everything feels expensive and pointless.”…