In today's age it is nearly impossible to really know anyone's age. I am constantly mistaken for a child and children can probably go out and drink without IDs. The thing is, there are many reasons to why this is happening. It all starts with my my first point…
Kids are growing up too fast
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heddaselder/5888838542/in/photolist-9YnQx1-77P3a1-58L59M-doJE9K-9QAmz5-8K85zc-8zj5Ze-4m5vLp-iX9Td5-dp2qrz-8Kb8bu-2cmeQ4c-8raSrW-29tqSpp-dRaY27-9YJUfR-jyS5gx-37muSB-5W5sgg-8y16qL-bjNKwy-6wfYQv-4gUz8t-7tqLzF-eeg4xs-eA5vAv-2ED8cJ-4yCdhZ-pFAPEr-aH4mr4-4ERzZS-4LQPRc-apibfv-govU3o-CR6fcW-Emxz5-6FLQvy-apxtEd-ftEsgN-aakWen-7ymxa2-9fMdLn-bxHE9D-9fMiLF-dAfjgK-674wiB-5t5dWj-bjT9SU-48P1WS-7ymwme
As kids, we all could not wait to be the age of a full hand. We wanted to grow up so fast so that we could do "whatever we wanted." But, now it is more of this obsession with actually wanting to be an adult. Their minds are corrupted early on because of T.V. and simply the openness of conversations within this era. They are exposed to a lot! They think that kids cursing and posing on Instagram is a normal thing to do for fame. People they see on a daily basis pursue a life where education is not emphasized as important, but moving out and being with your friends is normal at 12 years old. What kids do not understand with this poor influence, is that there are bills to pay and you need a job. Kids are doing things, that they shouldn't be doing at their ages. This includes things that they don't understand fully, such as sex and getting involved with things like smoking (especially Juuls). It's scary to hear how quickly they THINK they are growing up, by forcing themselves into situations simply because everyone else is doing it. One lesson for them is: there are always consequences and being an adult requires a lot of responsibility.
Kids are learning to wear makeup
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124878194@N07/31231578566/in/photolist-PzQ1dw-U7RvLV-89sn5Y-bkGL4a-8Pkqi7-CpLKi-VzXYf7-6hh5hU-v5pi9-65zcyy-dtBGW-5gjoK2-4rBkd8-9X1Chx-7g7mtr-64E9Y5-98UEmC-f2zneK-qAYASw-fjh8HY-4sTsmH-p734S-5sizGN-5bYCHk-ktuuSH-83vXA7-bjMkzp-o2KRpj-dwq4eN-9bdQrd-8KLDnJ-6zigVa-fwqcyJ-pYeWhd-EiFbxX-75BCXn-WeWVkk-VRjtME-dqNtUn-2JrRk-5G3ACD-78BhVA-6PnwpA-nG6rT-o4epGg-zLSm43-zG3Df-7hTNdB-2akpFxB-pAw7tm
While makeup is a great tool to enhance the features you already have, some kids do not understand that. They use this to hide and morph themselves into what they think is "better," or "perfect," when there is no such thing. With this, their appearance is definitely altered, and they appear older. There are no more "awkward phases," for these doll-like children. They will skip it entirely. Before they use makeup, they need to understand that they are beautiful without it too. After that, they can go on to their masterpieces.
Kids are on social media
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericaalmquistphotography/6166622175/in/photolist-aoVxVZ-m6zaMn-8DAgpY-9YDGuE-Yxw4vf-4qqS64-76qUxp-Uypnda-d67tF-2W6TRC-9TVbBM-G5ZAv3-26Q6KWN-4u4tzv-5Hdxr-6R3FYv-VAbaD6-2ouoV-8XNQPC-31xeFu-pEmFoc-Jqq5-3K1o55-5GuK3t-LWuLyK-pzKC9C-UVxbTG-bxScdp-aN24gg-8BhDmj-9BVFhV-FaQTUS-LWZb7a-2cqR6rn-99TnrK-4EVudL-3N6tc-ncbmyr-9YyvQ3-kDsAPs-6h4SQW-97aGbz-4QKSV8-npcWQJ-5Dzxag-5146Au-HBxaZ3-59KtSX-8RguUE-H5GYPg
Kids sexualize themselves at young ages in their posts. To them it's normal, but this should not be what is running through their minds. They portray themselves like that to the world. Nothing is private. Not to mention, it will affect their future with how they are perceived and affect potential future jobs. They idolize figures on Instagram, and it becomes unhealthy for them physically and mentally. Their self-esteems are at risk.
Leniency from the parents
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeshootz/7006057617/in/photolist-bF6SQR-qefvK4-atzzMm-26ZdosR-a99ymU-qJD6mw-8UpDn5-bB1qkq-6UNf7y-nscM9Q-59NzZQ-bKuLr6-nGDMvg-aR4LMt-h1MoaD-8dQJ5D-eCswrg-71Tuoe-a99z4U-7Td9R1-eCvGbG-b1yxM2-GF7mhP-nYekfw-7nc523-8yojnC-5TYB6U-ss4mp-4kTTvh-6Ldt8Z-nJCJ6r-9yL4kQ-6cKezc-6SkeqQ-8hhkjW-9xxsfA-aaMTfC-oBbwav-8A233u-6YJvGv-b5f9Gk-45upTt-afCAzv-uZ389Q-4QaCYR-7kBFR9-DwcwD-5tejPH-4kPRQv-2cC7xJX
Kids should not be allowed to go to the mall with their parent's debit card or credit card and wander along with their friends for hours, buying coffee, and chilling with their boy friends. They have become materialistic and dependent upon showing that off. There are some parents that just let their kids do whatever they want and go wherever they want. They don't "forbid" enough. Kids don't even ask permission to go places, they just say they are going. That was never allowed for me. They go to parties and get involved in poor choices because they can. They go home whenever they say they want to be picked up. They can not be home for three days and that's fine. There is no connection to family. It is not valued to have family dinner time, because it is not "cool," and because there is no "time." So kids think they can be self reliant.
I'm not stating that all kids are like this today and i'm not stating that all parents let their kids do as they please, but it is very common. Like I said, it is a mixture of all things that makes these kids appear to be older. It's a think and it shall be mentality. They act like they are older, and so we think they are older. We treat them like they are older. Again, this is all an opinion and definitely general, but it does not mean that this issue does not exist.
To the kids: Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy your youth. Be smart and make good choices. Don't give into peer pressure...it won't make you cool. Knowing things IS cool! Stay in school...seriously. Being a "nerd," is an accomplishment, not something to be made fun of. Above all, be yourself and don't try to be or please anyone else.
