How to Talk to Teenagers
#2 Conversation Options
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"What's your favorite thing to do when you're not [at school/doing homework]?"
Encourages them to talk about their hobbies and passions, which are often topics they enjoy discussing.
"Are you looking forward to [the weekend/the upcoming break]? Any plans?"
Future-oriented and provides an opportunity to discuss their social life or interests outside of daily routines.
"Are you into [gaming/sports/reading]? What's your current [favorite game/team/book]?"
Directly asks about common teenage interests, giving them a chance to share what they're passionate about.
"Have you been working on any cool [projects/assignments] in [school/a club]?"
Academic or extracurricular projects can be a source of pride and an easy conversation topic.
"What kind of [music] are you into lately? Have you heard that new [artist/song]?"
Music is often a big part of a teenager's life and can open up discussions about their tastes and trends.
"How's [school] going these days? Anything interesting happening in your [classes]?"
A safe, general question that allows them to share as much or as little as they want about a common topic in their lives.
"What's been the most [fun/challenging] part of your week so far?"
Allows them to reflect and share something personal, giving insight into their experiences.
"What's one thing you're hoping to learn or try this [summer/school year]?"
Future-oriented and can reveal their aspirations or new interests.
"Have you seen [that new movie/TV show] everyone's talking about? What did you think?"
Pop culture references are often a good way to connect and can lead to discussions about their opinions.
"That's a cool [t-shirt/hoodie]. What's [the band/logo] on it?"
A low-risk compliment that shows interest in their personal style and can lead to a discussion about their interests.
"How do you usually unwind after a busy [day/week]?"
Shows interest in their well-being and can reveal their coping mechanisms or leisure activities.
"What's something you're really excited about right now?"
Focuses on positive emotions and future events, often leading to enthusiastic responses.