10 Big Problems Nebraska’s Youth Can’t Afford to Ignore

Growing up in Nebraska right now isn’t exactly easy. Sure, kids and young adults have social media, iced coffee, and streaming shows, but there are also a lot of overwhelming things happening.

It’s easy for Nebraska’s youth to turn a blind eye to societal issues, feeling like they’re invincible.

But they need to start paying attention to these very worrying issues if they aren’t already.

Climate Change

Earth is warming up fast. Scientists say this is mostly due to pollution from cars, factories, and other human activity.

The planet has been heating up for years, and the past ten years have been the hottest ever recorded since 1880, according to NASA.

Because of this warming, ice in places like the North and South Poles is melting, causing sea levels to rise. Cities like Miami and New York could face serious flooding.

Animals are also losing their natural habitats, which throws entire ecosystems out of balance.

This is a major challenge the younger generation will have to deal with. Extreme weather, wildfires, and water shortages could become more of a part of daily life than it already is.

Student Loan Debt

College can be useful for building a future in certain careers, but it comes with a high price tag.

Most students can’t afford to pay for it upfront, so they take out loans. Right now, people in the U.S. owe more than $1.7 trillion in student loans.

Paying off those loans takes time. Some Americans are still making payments into their 30s or 40s. Because of the debt, it’s harder to afford things like homes, cars, or even starting a family.

To make things worse, college costs keep rising. That means future students may owe even more. It’s a growing problem that needs real solutions.

Mental Health

Mental health is a huge issue for teens right now. More young people are dealing with anxiety, depression, and stress than ever before.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in seven people ages 10-19 have a mental health disorder.

There are lots of reasons for this—social media pressure, school stress, and even family problems. The COVID-19 pandemic made it all even harder.

Pandemic or no pandemic, many teens feel isolated or like no one understands what they’re going through.

Gun Violence

Gun violence is a real concern for young people in America; firearms became the leading cause of death for children and teens in 2020.

That’s a frightening statistic.

Many schools now have active shooter drills to prepare for emergencies. These drills are meant to keep students safe, but they can also be scary and stressful. It’s hard to focus on school when safety feels uncertain.

While Americans may have different ideas about how to fix this, most agree that action is needed.

Everyone deserves to feel safe while learning.

Social Media Pressure

Many youth put social media in the “fun” category, but whether they know it or not, it creates a lot of pressure.

Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat often show only the best moments in people’s lives.

A study found that about 1 in 3 teens said they believe social media has a negative effect on others. Interestingly, they didn’t put themselves in that category.

Regardless of age, it’s easy to compare oneself to others online, even though most posts are carefully edited or filtered.

Such comparisons can lead to low self-esteem and feeling like one’s life doesn’t measure up.

Spending too much time online can also hurt one’s sleep, mood, and grades.

Climate Anxiety

No, we’re not talking about straight-up climate change again; climate anxiety is a separate but similar issue developing in youth that deserves a section all of its own.

Climate anxiety occurs when someone worries about the planet’s future to the point that it affects their everyday life. A survey found that 59% of young people said they were extremely or very worried about climate change.

Hearing about melting ice, rising seas, and wildfires can be scary. Some young people even feel guilty, like they’re not doing enough to help.

It’s a heavy feeling to carry, and more young people need to recognize climate anxiety so they can support themselves or others with coping mechanisms.

Job Uncertainty

Technology is changing the job market fast. Robots and artificial intelligence (AI) are now doing jobs that people used to do.

The World Economic Forum says 85 million jobs could disappear by 2025, but 97 million new ones might also be created due to the “robot revolution.”

That means the kinds of jobs the youth do in the future might be totally different from today. Schools may need to start teaching different subjects to prepare students.

It’s a little scary not knowing what the future will look like. But with the right support and learning opportunities, young people can be ready for whatever comes next.

Affordable Housing

Finding a place to live is becoming harder, especially for younger adults. Rent and home prices have gone up exponentially.

A report from Harvard says more than 45% of renters under age 30 spend over 30% of their income just on rent.

That makes it difficult for younger generations to save money or move out and live independently. Some young people have to stay with family longer or move far away to find something more affordable.

Housing should be something everyone has access to—not just something for the lucky few.

Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to call home, and this is an issue the youth need to worry about.

Misinformation Online

Not everything one sees online is true, and many parents can attest to how impressionable kids can be. A study from MIT found that false stories spread faster than real ones on Twitter.

Misinformation can be about anything—health, politics, or even world events.

Believing false information can lead to confusion and even danger. That’s why it’s important for the youth to check facts before sharing or believing something.

Learning how to tell what’s real and what’s not is a skill every young person—and grownup—needs.

Privacy and Data Safety

Every time we use the internet, we leave behind data. This can include what we search, where we go, and what we click on.

Companies use that data for advertising, but it can also be stolen. In 2023 alone, more than 353 million personal records were exposed in data breaches in the U.S.

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