Teenagers helping teenagers with teenage issues.
This is the teenage handbook competition, an artistic creation competition.
Teenagers helping teenagers with teenage issues.
This is the teenage handbook competition, an artistic creation competition.
About The Teenage handbook
It’s tough to be a teen.
The National Institute of Mental Health reported that one in five adolescents “aged 12 to 17 in the US had at least one major depressive episode.”
Yet teens don't want to hear solutions from adults, especially their parents. The Stanford Medicine News Center references a 2022 study by Abrams et al. that literally found “around age 13, kids’ brains no longer find their moms’ voices uniquely rewarding, and tune into unfamiliar voices more.” Unfortunately some teens do not have support from their families. And many do not have access to counseling support.
In addition, teens don’t want others to know about their issues. A 2023 Boys and Girls Clubs of America survey highlighted that “67% [of youths] try to keep anyone from finding out” about major problems. And yet, “92% of youth want to help when they see someone having a problem.”
What is the 2026 Teenage Handbook Competition?
The Teenage Handbook Competition encourages teens to digitally journal and accumulate a collection of creative expressions by teens, for teens, on teen issues.
In 2024 and 2025 the competition challenged teens to think about any teen issue. We received entries ranging from self identity, loneliness, how to navigate social media, gender identity, religion, and anxiety.
In 2026, we are giving teens a new challenge.
We’re asking teens to talk about how physical spaces impact how they feel. Click on the 2026 Teenage Handbook tab to understand the new challenge
As seen on Lady Gaga's Channel Kindness!
"The Teenage Handbook’s first ambition is to encourage teens to digitally journal and accumulate a digital collection of respectful and helpful creative expressions by teens, for teens, on teen issues. Introspective digital journaling is the opposite of social media oversharing. It’s the art of using electronic devices to record one’s feelings and experiences. It can be done through different media like audio, video, phone notes, etc. It’s the quintessential 21st century therapy tool. Through high tech self reflection, teens can process and share their positive learnings to help other teens who inherently are skeptical of grown ups and face similar teen experiences."
As seen on UNESCO!
The Teenage Handbook Competition was globally recognized as a way to improve good health and wellbeing by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization! UNESCO's purpose is to "contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom."
Funding From Walmart!
We are thrilled to make a community impact, working together with Walmart, who provided funding through their Spark Good program.
Funding From Costco!
Thank you to Costco Wholesale for supporting our nonprofit focusing on education and health services.
Advisors From:
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