The teens are not alright
Presented by PwC
The Female Quotient
February 17, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes
WHAT’S ON DECK
Tell Me More: Governments are stepping up to regulate teens’ social media use
Troublemaker Spotlight: Esther Hallam, CEO and Founder, Nara Organics
Inside Track: Leaders on the move
Dear FQ: I was told I’m not ready for a leadership position at work. How do I ask for feedback without seeming defensive?
Poll the Pack: The boldest move a leader can make in a time of crisis
TLDR 🎙️: Listen here
TELL ME MORE
Screening social media
“When I was a kid, thank goodness we didn’t have social media.” We’ve all heard it. You’ve probably said it. The sentiment is clear: growing up is hard enough without the algorithm watching. But for today’s teens, the online world isn’t optional; it’s unavoidable.
Adolescence is a difficult time on its own. They’re navigating puberty, friendships, independence, identity, and pressure, plus nonstop social feeds. And here’s the real kicker: the teenage brain is still under construction. The prefrontal cortex, which handles decision-making, focus, and impulse control, doesn’t fully develop until around age 25 (!!), which explains the reason why car rental companies won’t let you rent until you’re 25. In the teenage brain, there is also less communication between the different hemispheres, making difficult situations all the more complicated.
Did you know that in a lab environment, even adolescent male mice drink more alcohol when they are with other adolescent male mice? Just goes to show you that being a teen is hard if you’re a human or a mouse.
Enter social media. A Pew research poll found that 96% of teens are on the internet every day. 46% claim to be perpetually online, an amount that has almost doubled since 2014. It’s not just easily accessible, it’s quite literally in the palm of their hand, with 95% of kids ages 13-17 owning a smart phone. 95% of teens say they utilize social media, with 33% who say they are continuously on apps. And this is taking a toll.
Poor mental health for teens has been on the rise since 2010, with increased reports of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide. Between 2010 and 2020, visits to the emergency room due to self-harm increased by a shocking 188% for teenage girls and 48% for teenage boys in the U.S. In social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, he writes that technology has “rewired” childhood from being “play based” to “phone based.” Kids might not be allowed to freely roam their neighborhood and interact with others face-to-face, but they are allowed to freely roam the internet, and this has consequences. He connects the alarming rise of mental illness in teens to the presence of smartphones. Haidt says, “Puberty is this incredibly important, sensitive period in which the brain is rewired very rapidly for locking down into an adult pattern. Changes that happen during puberty are powerful and are likely to stick. It’s a time of enormous brain plasticity.”
In 2023, the Surgeon General’s Advisory released a report about social media’s effects on teenage brains. The following year, Dr. Vivek Murthy went one step further and pushed for a Surgeon General’s Warning on social media, much like there are for cigarettes and alcohol.
And it’s not just adults who are concerned. Even teens are noticing. 48% of adolescents say social media is hurting their generation, and 44% are trying to cut back. It’s also important to call out that it’s affecting teenage girls in higher numbers than boys; it’s damaging their mental health (25%), affecting their self-esteem (20%), giving them FOMO (36%), disrupting friendships (9%), hurting their sleep (50%), and negatively altering their view of their lives (34%). Girls who spend over five hours per day on social media are 3X as likely to experience depression. Also, LGBTQ+ teens are 40% more likely to be depressed, have suicidal thoughts, or commit suicide.
Australia is taking a bold step to protect young people, becoming the first country to ban social media accounts for anyone under 16 with the Online Safety Amendment Act. The responsibility sits with platforms, which could face fines of up to $49.5 million if they repeatedly fail to enforce age limits or invest in age-assurance tools. The decision follows new research from Australia's eSafety Commissioner that shows just how much social platforms shape young people’s lives. The 2025 report found that 96% of Australia’s children ages 10 to 15 use social media, and among them, 71% said they’ve encountered harmful content, 52% experienced cyberbullying, and 14% reported grooming-type behavior. Many also came across misogynistic posts, violent videos, and content promoting eating disorders or self-harm.
Other nations are following suit:
Denmark plans to enact an age 15 minimum
France is considering a “digital curfew”
Malaysia plans to ban under-16s from social
Brazil will require minors to link accounts to a legal guardian
South Korea has banned smartphones in schools
In the U.S., it’s in the hands of the states. In March of 2025, Utah passed a first-of-its-kind bill requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before minors can download apps to their devices. Other states that have laws or pending legislation regarding teenage social media use include California, Virginia, Nebraska, Oregon, and Louisiana.
So where do we go from here? We need to stop thinking this is someone else’s problem to solve. It’s not just on parents. It’s not just on teachers, or tech companies, or policymakers. It’s on all of us. Psychology professor Jean Twenge put it bluntly: “We have overprotected kids in the real world and vastly underprotected them online.”
In order to create safer digital environments for the next generation, it’s going to take a village. That means:
Parents setting boundaries around screen time and age limits
Encouraging face-to-face social interaction
Modeling healthy behavior, because yes, kids are watching our screen time too
Teaching digital literacy and critical thinking around content, algorithms, and cyberbullying
This isn’t about fearmongering or banning technology. It’s about making space for kids to grow before they’re exposed to the pressure, comparison, and noise of social media. Supporters hope these changes will reduce harmful content and social pressure. Governments around the world are watching closely. More and more countries are exploring how to build safer digital environments for our next generation.
Social media and tech aren’t going anywhere. But the way we introduce it to kids? That’s a choice. When we prioritize presence, connection, and safety, we give young people the chance to grow and learn, creating a strong foundation for our next generation of leaders.
Geopolitical risk is a C-suite issue.
Geopolitical volatility and shifting regulation are now constant features of the U.S. and global business environment. Trade tensions, policy and tax changes, AI and data rules, and evolving energy needs are reshaping where and how companies operate. This brings increased exposure to risk, but also a strategic opportunity for those prepared to adapt. In a world where disruption is the norm, resilience starts with foresight.
Read more to learn how.
TROUBLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Esther Hallam, CEO and Founder, Nara Organics
Esther Hallam is the CEO and Founder of Nara Organics, an organic infant formula company. Previously, she was a digital product leader for multiple startups. When Hallam had her own child, she saw a gap in the formula market. She wanted a healthier, natural option. Enter Nara Organics, where she, alongside scientists and pediatric nutritionists, have developed a whole milk formula. Nara has secured impressive investors, including Serena Williams, Gina Rodriguez, and Nicky Hilton.
What’s the worst career advice you’ve gotten?
Always go to an established company or a company that has a “good reputation.” In my career, I’ve done the complete opposite; I’ve joined very new companies. My first job out of college was at Google. At the time, the company was still private, and Google was one of five search engines. My parents questioned my choice, but I thought it sounded interesting. I've always been drawn to startups because they’re innovative, different, and often venturing into the unknown.
What’s the best piece of non-obvious career advice you’ve gotten?
Being an outsider is a superpower and it’s okay to not belong or fit into a mold. That’s when you’ll bring curiosity and a different perspective into an organization, allowing for innovation and forward momentum.
What was a heartbeat moment for you in your career?
Starting my company, Nara Organics. When my daughter, Nara, was born in 2016, I was planning to breastfeed. I eventually needed to turn to formula, but there wasn't a single product that I felt good about giving her. My husband and I were eating organically; even our dogs were. Yet, for our daughter, we felt that we did not have good options. We ended up buying European formula. I was angry that we lived in a developed country, but we were importing formula from another country.
For two years, I couldn't stop thinking and talking with people about the infant formula industry and how broken it was in the U.S. I spoke to a toxicologist in the regulatory field, and she told me how challenging it was to have a product in a regulated category. But, at the end of our conversation, she said that she wanted to help me. It took seven years, but we got through the regulatory process. Most recently, I had another heartbeat moment when Nara Organics debuted and was exhibited at the American Academy of Pediatrics. It has had a very positive reception nationally and internationally.
Where have you caused some good trouble in your career?
Before starting my company, I spent 20 years working as a product manager. And with that job, you’re always a troublemaker. It’s one of the defining characteristics of the role, because you have to poke holes in whatever has already been built. You also need to challenge people’s thinking within the company, as their opinions can be based on assumptions and not data. I was constantly speaking with consumers, identifying real pain points, and oftentimes, upending assumptions.
Want to nominate a “Troublemaker” you admire? You can do so here.
INSIDE TRACK
Leaders on the move
Shachar Scott is now Chief Marketing Officer at Sunbit. With more than 25 years of leadership experience across Meta, Apple, Bumble, and Snap, Shachar has built brands that sit at the intersection of culture and community. At a time when financial pressure and rising costs are reshaping household decisions, Sunbit is making essential purchases more manageable, and Shachar will meet this moment with strategic vision and empathy.
Linda Boff has been named President of the Forbes CMO Network. From transforming Grand Central Terminal into a global stage for women in science to leading marketing at GE for two decades, Linda has proven that bold storytelling can drive both business growth and societal change.
Michelle Goad has stepped into a new role as Chief Brand Officer at Claire’s. As the first C-suite hire since Ames Watson’s acquisition of Claire’s North American operations, Michelle brings brand-building expertise shaped by leadership roles at Athleta, Nike, and Alo Yoga.
Kinsey Fabrizio has become the first woman ever to be named President and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association. Since 2008, Kinsey has helped transform CTA and CES. A pioneer in digital health, she launched CTA’s Health Division and set new standards for wearable data privacy.
DEAR FQ
Your burning career questions answered
Zoe Starensier of The Female Quotient weighs in:
Being passed over for growth or leadership can feel personal, but it’s also a moment to lead with curiosity, not defensiveness. Start with self-reflection. Take an honest look at your work: where have you delivered, and where is there room to grow? Approach your manager with intention. Try something like: “I’m committed to growing as a leader and would appreciate your insight on the skills or leadership qualities I should focus on.”
The more specific your ask, the more actionable the feedback. You might follow up with: “Are there moments where I could have stepped up differently?” This signals self-awareness and a growth mindset.
Start showing up as a leader before you have the title. Find a mentor within your company and, just as importantly, be a mentor to someone else. Leadership isn’t just about rising up; it’s about lifting others as you go.
Look for ways to take on more ownership in your current role. Ask your manager, “Are there any projects I can lead on or support?” When you get the opportunity, go all in: be proactive, anticipate challenges, offer solutions, keep communication clear, and deliver consistently. Once the project wraps, circle back. Ask, “What worked well and what could I improve next time?” That kind of follow-through shows you’re not just ready for more, you’re already doing the work.
P.S. Got a burning career question? Serve it up here to Dear FQ to score advice from a powerhouse leader in our network.
POLL THE PACK
Put people first
In a crisis, people don’t want spin; they want honesty, empathy, and a clear sense of direction. The boldest thing a leader can do in tough times? Employees say it’s to put people before profit. That’s human-centered leadership, where well-being and culture come first, not last.
And here’s something else employees value: leaders who admit they don’t have all the answers. Vulnerability builds trust. Saying, “I don’t know, but let’s figure it out together,” invites collaboration. It also signals strength, not weakness.
The best leaders aren’t the loudest; they’re the ones who roll up their sleeves, lead with purpose, and serve their teams. As Ken Blanchard put it: “They don’t work for you; you work for them.”
Crisis reveals character, and leadership that prioritizes people isn’t just brave, it’s better for business.
Put people first. The rest will fall into place.
Xo,
The FQ
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