• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
CHOC logo horizontal

CHOC - Children's Health

Long Live Childhood

  • Featured Topics
    • Allergies
    • Asthma
    • Cancer / Oncology
    • Cold and Flu
    • Heart / Cardiology
    • Nutrition
    • Parenting
    • Primary Care
    • Safety
    • Browse by Provider
    • Browse by Topic
  • Guides
    • Anxiety
    • ADHD
    • Autism
    • Bullying
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccines
    • Depression
    • Eating Disorders
    • Healthcare options
    • Immunizations
    • Mental Health
    • Suicide Prevention
  • CHOC.org
  • Subscribe
Group of friends hold phone and take selfie.

CHOC
Children’s health information

All about teens

As kids grow into teens, they may experience a lot of physical, emotional and social changes. For both teens and parents, these changes can be difficult to navigate. CHOC experts are here to help.

Get health tips for teens

Teens and mental health

As children become adolescents, they start to experience several developmental changes that affect them physically, psychologically, emotionally and behaviorally. Because of these changes, parents may start to notice that their teens may be irritable, withdrawn and overwhelmed.

Some of these behaviors are natural during this developmental stage, but if these behaviors are recurring for many weeks, they may serve as a red flag that a teen is experiencing symptoms mental health challenges.

Teens may be under immense pressure to fit in socially, perform academically and more. Learn how to keep an open line of communication with your teens, look for warning signs and get help when needed.

View mental health articles

 

teenage boy rests head on hand and looks moody

Is my teen ok? Helping parents identify anxiety and depression in their adolescents

4 kids drinking in teen's bedroom

Why are teens resorting to substance and drug use?

flat lay of a group of teens laying down on the floor

Teenager growth & development: 13 to 18 Years

CHOC experts map out puberty and communication changes with teens, and how to best connect with them while making sure they are establishing healthy fitness, eating and sleeping habits.

View guide
work looks at laptop and holds ipad while sitting on bed with headphones on

Is your teen heading to college soon?

A CHOC pediatrician offers a doctor-approved health checklist to ensure teens are set up for success when managing their healthcare on their own.

Get checklist

Stay connected

Receive monthly updates and parenting tips from the experts at CHOC to help you keep your child healthy.

COVID-19 Care

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Children under 5

Authorized for emergency use


Children ages 5-11

Authorized for emergency use

Eligible for a booster 5 months after the second dose


Teens ages 12-15

Authorized for emergency use
Eligible for a booster 5 months after the second dose


Teens ages 16+

Full authorization
Eligible for a booster 5 months after the second dose

Moderna vaccine

Children age 5 and under

Authorized for emergency use


Children ages 6-11

Authorized for emergency use


Teens ages 12-17

Authorized for emergency use


People ages 18+

Full authorization
Eligible for a booster 6 months after the second dose

J&J Janssen vaccine

People under 18

Not authorized


People ages 18+

Authorized for emergency use
Eligible for a booster 2 months after the first dose

Little girls smiles with backpack on and mask

COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5: What parents need to know

June 18, 2022
Dad and son laying on the floor coloring

Sick day activity ideas for kids with colds, flu or COVID-19

March 17, 2022
Man checks temperature while sick and laying in bed

I’m a parent and have COVID-19. What should I do?

January 26, 2022
Mom and her daughter smiling outside with masks on

COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 0 to 5: What parents need to know

January 19, 2022

Featured Articles

Teen sitting at table eating

Healthy eating tips for adolescents and teens

July 5, 2022
two kids playing tag and laughing

Kids and exercise: What parents should know  

June 30, 2022
girl smiles holding rainbow umbrella

Protecting the mental health of LGBTQIA+ youth

June 28, 2022

Recent Articles

kid in field on a bike with a thumbs up

Bike safety tips for kids and teens

June 22, 2022
Little girls smiles with backpack on and mask

COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5: What parents need to know

June 18, 2022
Little boy smiling in ocean water in a yellow duck floaty

Beach safety tips for families

June 16, 2022
young boy holds sparkler

Fourth of July fireworks safety tips for families

June 16, 2022
Arm holding stress ball donates blood

CHOC answers your questions about donating blood

June 14, 2022
girl reaching for lunchbox

Lunchbox tips, activity ideas and recipes for school-age kids

June 9, 2022
dog laying on floor

How to protect your kids from dog bites

June 7, 2022
girl plays dress up with her dad

Encouraging positive behavior in young children

June 2, 2022
Browse All Articles by Topic

Footer

.

US news and world report badge

About CHOC

Our pediatric healthcare system is dedicated to preserving the magic of childhood.

  • Kids Health eNewsletter Archive
  • Find care
    • Find a provider
    • Programs and services
    • Refer a patient
    • Locations
  • Visit CHOC.org
    • About CHOC
    • Donate
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Press room
  • Policies and legal

RSS CHOC News

  • Defender Profiles: Patty Hernandez, EVS aide
  • Pfizer/BioNTech vs. Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5: What to know
  • How to help your “overprogrammed” kids deal with the stress and pressure

RSS Upcoming Events

  • First-of-its-kind study links mechanical bull riding with pediatric head injuries
  • AAP updates breastfeeding policy for the first time in a decade
  • Novel virtual reality study addresses healthcare worker burnout, anxiety
  • Device for patients with GI issues showing promise in treating Post-Concussion Syndrome
  • COVID-19 infection may worsen asthma in children, large CHOC study concludes
facebook twitter pinterest youtube instagram linkedin choco bear

Copyright © 2022 CHOC | www.choc.org | A 501(c)(3) Organization
1201 W La Veta Ave, Orange, CA 92866 | (714) 997-3000

These articles are not intended to replace the relationship you have with a physician or another healthcare practitioner. For specific medical advice, diagnoses and treatment, please consult your doctor. This website may include links to other websites which provide additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this publication. Linking to a non-CHOC site does not constitute an endorsement by CHOC of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.