Guest Columnist
Zoe Connell
California's Teenagers Are Among the Happiest
Today’s teenagers are navigating a landscape that feels uniquely daunting. The pressures are piling up - social media, family structures shaken by record divorce rates, parents’ financial uncertainty, climate fears, and an education system that’s more competitive than ever. For parents watching their kids grow up in this environment, it’s hard not to wonder: Are teens managing to find joy, or are they just treading water?
To get a clearer picture, Mission Prep surveyed 3,012 parents of adolescents across the country. They asked a straightforward question:
“On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy is your teen?”
The result is a 'Happiness Index Ranking' - a revealing look at where America’s teenagers are thriving and where they’re struggling most.
The findings suggest that happiness isn’t evenly distributed. The survey’s state rankings highlight a striking contrast in teen well-being. For example, California's teenagers are among the happiest in America, according to their parents, who ranked their happiness at 6/10 (compared to a national average of 5.5).
The Top 5 States for Teen Happiness:
1. Kansas: 9/10.
2. Delaware: 8/10.
3. New Hampshire: 8/10.
4. Oklahoma: 8/10.
5. South Dakota: 8/10.The Bottom 5 States for Teen Happiness:
50. Mississippi: 2/10.
49. New Mexico: 3/10.
48. Maine: 3/10.
47. Alabama: 3/10.
46. Rhode Island: 3/10.These differences point to bigger forces at play. In higher-ranking states, there’s often a sense of belonging or a buffer against stress - think tight-knit towns or outdoor escapes. In the lower ranks, challenges like poverty, sparse mental health resources, or a lack of opportunity might deepen the strain. Still, numbers only scratch the surface; parents’ firsthand observations fill in the gaps.
Beyond the Rankings: What’s Shaping Teen Lives
Mission Prep went further, asking California parents to reflect on their teens’ day-to-day experiences. The responses offer both concern and cautious hope.
On happiness trends, 72% of parents said their teen’s mood has held steady over the past year. Another 19% saw improvement - 7% significantly, 12% slightly - while 9% noticed a drop - 5% slightly, 4% significantly. That stability could mean resilience, or it might signal a kind of emotional plateau, neither sinking nor rising.
What’s behind the stress? Parents identified these as the top pressures:
- Peer relationships and social dynamics: 31% cited this - friendships, rivalries, and the push to fit in.
- Social media and screen time: 30% pointed to the digital world, where comparison and validation rule.
- Academic demands: 22% named school, with its high stakes and relentless pace.
- Family conflict (10%) and household financial worries (6%) also factored in, though less dominantly.
Screen time, in particular, stands out. Teens average 3 hours and 32 minutes daily on social media or personal devices, not counting homework. That’s a significant slice of their lives spent online - time that could cut into sleep, real-world connections, or simply unwinding.
Yet there are bright spots. Parents shared what brings their teens joy:
- Time with friends: 23% said this tops the list-face-to-face bonds still matter most.
- Pets or animals: 16% credited four-legged friends with lifting spirits.
- Family moments: 15% highlighted the value of togetherness at home.
- Physical activity (14%), creative pursuits (11%), and even solitude (8%) also help, while social media (6%) and school success (5%) rank lower.
Gauging the Mindset
How do parents see their teens’ current state? The survey offered four lenses:
- Thriving - vibrant, engaged, hopeful: 45% of teens fit here, a solid foundation.
- Managing - functional but stressed: 35% are in this middle space, coping but stretched.
- Struggling - low energy, moody, distant: 10% are finding it tough.
- At risk - showing signs of anxiety: 10% are cause for concern.
Looking back to their own youth, 51% of parents said their teen’s happiness mirrors their own at that age. Meanwhile, 34% think their kids are happier - 16% much more, 18% slightly - while 15% see less - 11% slightly, 4% much less. It’s a mixed bag, reflecting both timeless teenage struggles and today’s distinct challenges.
Aja Chavez, National Executive Director of Mission Prep framed the stakes clearly: “This survey reveals a complex emotional landscape for today’s teens. While it’s heartening to see nearly half of adolescents described as ‘thriving,’ the sharp contrasts between states - and the daily pressures teens face - underscore that there’s no one-size-fits-all experience of growing up in America right now. From screen time to social pressure, today’s youth are balancing more than ever. But what’s equally clear is the power of simple joys - friendship, family, pets, and creativity - as real anchors of happiness.”