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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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 one thing you're hoping to learn or try this [summer/school year]?"
Future-oriented and can reveal their aspirations or new interests.
"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.
"What's something you're really excited about right now?"
Focuses on positive emotions and future events, often leading to enthusiastic responses.
"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 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.
"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.
"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.