Nicola Morgan unpacks science behind teenage behaviour at SCRF

Morgan dove into the fascinating biology behind adolescent behaviour, blending neuroscience with relatable examples to help parents, educators, and young people themselves navigate the emotional rollercoaster of growing up.

“Adolescence is a journey of separation,” Morgan explained. “That’s because the child who once relied completely on a parent must grow towards independence – and the teenage brain is biologically prepared to disagree, push back, and find its own way.”

“Another crucial aspect is that teenagers conform more to their group of friends than to their families, because unlike the unconditional love they feel at home, friendships seem fragile. They fear rejection, which fuels peer pressure and the need to fit in, to conform,” added the author known for bestsellers like Be Resilient (2021) and No Worries - How To Deal With Teenage Anxiety (2023).

Morgan went on to clarify that external factors like social media, peer pressure, and changing family dynamics shape teenage experiences differently today.

So also highlighted how at the heart of teenage turmoil lies a neurological imbalance between the limbic system (the brain’s emotional, impulsive centre) and the prefrontal cortex that’s responsible for rational thinking, impulse control, and judgement, which only matures fully in the early to mid-twenties.

“It’s not that teenagers are reckless on purpose – it’s that their limbic system shouts louder than their rational brain,” said Morgan. “When they choose the chocolate cake or make a risky decision, it’s because their brain’s reward centre tells them it will feel good — and that's much stronger than a quiet ‘I ought to’ coming from the rational side.”

Why stress and anxiety hit teenagers harder

Nicola clearly unpack the differences between stress and anxiety, underlining why teenagers today face mental health challenges more acutely than ever before. Their still-developing brains and increased exposure to negative news and peer comparisons trigger stress and anxieties, she noted. “They also experience embarrassment and social rejection much more intensely, brain scans show – a side effect of their deep biological need to fit in with their peer group. Self-consciousness can feel like mental pain to a teenager,” Morgan pointed out. That’s why social acceptance – and the fear of losing it – looms so large.”

Helping teens thrive: Focus on immediate rewards

When it comes to motivating teenagers — whether in school, at home, or in life — Morgan offered a key piece of advice: “You must access the immediate benefit. Talk about what will feel good now, not just what’s good in the long term.”

Rather than warning about far-off consequences, parents and teachers should frame healthy choices and good behaviour around ‘short-term rewards’ – pleasure, pride, or feeling part of something, a reminder that: patience, empathy, and science can bridge the toughest teenage years.