Friendships · Identity
Older voices. Bigger questions. Different perspectives.
Teen Perspectives is a space for young people aged 11–18 to express their ideas, explore the world around them and develop their voices through writing and reflection.
Here, there isn't just one way to participate. Teens might respond to a picture, write a short story or essay from a prompt, reflect on a real-world issue, respond to something they've read or share their thoughts on a question that matters to them.
Teen Perspectives will also bring together useful resources and opportunities for young people ranging from reading and writing opportunities to information about universities, applications, funding such as NSFAS, competitions, events and other resources that can help them learn, plan and explore what comes next. There will also be space for interesting facts, discussions, recommendations and perspectives from other young writers.
It's a place to write. A place to learn and a place to start figuring out the world.
A note for parents, guardians, and teens: Writers aged 11–18 may be invited to respond to images, topics, stories, questions or other creative and reflective prompts. Every piece is shared using a pseudonym, an age, and a broad location only. Never a real name, school or exact address. Nothing is published without a parent or guardian's approval first. If you'd like a piece removed at any time, get in touch. See the Privacy Policy for details.
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Learn, Study & Explore → I Didn't Understand This… → Teen Perspectives Library →
Character is built in the small choices nobody applauds.
Topics
New topics are added over time — this list will keep growing. Click a topic to explore its prompts.
Identity
1 prompt
School & Education
1 prompt
School & Education
One Bad Mark Doesn’t Define You
Friendships
2 prompts
Friendships · Society
“Everybody Is Doing It.”
Friendships
When Your Friends Want You to Prove Yourself
Family
Coming soon
Prompts for this topic are on their way.
Social Media
1 prompt
Social Media
Your Life Is Bigger Than Your Phone
Mental & Emotional Life
2 prompts
Mental & Emotional Life
It’s Okay to Say “I’m Not Okay”
Mental & Emotional Life
The Anger Underneath the Anger
Relationships
Coming soon
Prompts for this topic are on their way.
Society
Coming soon
Prompts for this topic are on their way.
Technology
Coming soon
Prompts for this topic are on their way.
Money & Work
Coming soon
Prompts for this topic are on their way.
Growing Up
1 prompt
Growing Up · Future & Ambition
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
Culture
Coming soon
Prompts for this topic are on their way.
Future & Ambition
1 prompt
Growing Up · Future & Ambition
When Everyone Else Seems Ahead
Topic of the Month · Identity
The Person You Are When Nobody Is Watching
It's easy to think about who you want people to believe you are — but who are you when there's nobody around to impress? Character is built in the small choices nobody applauds: how you speak about someone who isn't there, whether you admit when you're wrong, whether you do the right thing when the wrong thing would be easier. Download the card below, sit with the question at the end, and write a short essay reflecting on it.
TEEN PERSPECTIVES
01
Write it. Question it. Look at it from another angle.
Submit your essay
If you've written a short essay or story reflecting on one of these topics, you can send it in below for me to review. Nothing is published without a parent or guardian's approval first, and every published piece uses a pseudonym, an age, and a broad location only — never your real name, school, or exact address. See the Privacy Policy for details.
If you've written a short essay or story reflecting on one of these topics, you can send it in below for me to review. Nothing is published without a parent or guardian's approval first, and every published piece uses a pseudonym, an age, and a broad location only — never your real name, school, or exact address. See the Privacy Policy for details.