This Post: 13 Must-Watch TED Talks Every Parent Should Send Their Teen
Written By: Nancy Reynolds
Sometimes, the best advice we can offer our kids doesn’t come from us; it comes from someone else. That’s why I love TED Talks for teens.
They’re short, so often thought-provoking, engaging, and some are even downright hilarious, and hold the power to give teens a completely different way of looking at something they might be struggling with.
So, if you have a teen who could use a little more confidence, resilience, motivation, or perspective, here are 13 TED Talks worth sharing. (You might even want to watch a few together so you can learn right alongside your teen!)
13 Must-Watch TED Talks Every Parent Should Send Their Teen
1. “The Power of Believing That You Can Improve” by Carol Dweck (18 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
This is one I’d put at the very top of the list. Psychologist Carol Dweck dives into the topic of having a growth mindset—the belief that our abilities aren’t fixed and that we can develop our skills through effort, learning, and persistence. For any teenager who thinks, “I’m just not good at math,” “I’m not athletic,” or “I’m terrible at public speaking,” this talk offers a powerful alternative: Maybe you just aren’t there… YET.
2. “The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown (70 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
This TED Talk is especially great for teens because it reinforces the idea that having confidence doesn’t mean you never feel insecure. Popular speaker Brené Brown talks openly about vulnerability, belonging, and the courage it takes to let the world see you as you really are. Her talk is a powerful reminder to teens that being vulnerable isn’t the opposite of being strong–it can actually be part of it.
3. “Lessons on Self-Confidence from a Teen” by Reece Doppenberg (270k views)
Why it’s great for teens:
Sometimes the best person to talk to a teenager about confidence is another teenager. Reece shares his own experience with insecurity, self-doubt, and worrying too much about what other people think and how he learned to become more comfortable with who he is. His message might be simple, but it’s powerful: confidence isn’t about being perfect or having everyone like you. It comes from figuring out who you are.
4. “How to Speak So That People Want to Listen” by Julian Treasure (70 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
Every teen could benefit from learning how to communicate with confidence so others will actually listen. Julian talks about the “deadly sins” of communication, including gossip, complaining, making excuses, and exaggerating, to name a few. He also offers a few practical tips about the way we use our voice. Your teen might find this talk useful for everything from making presentations in their classroom to interviewing for their summer job and learning how to express their opinion with confidence.
5. “How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over” by Mel Robbins (34 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
If your teens (or you) haven’t heard of Mel Robbins before, they’re in for a treat! She’s funny, relatable, and empowering, and reminds them that they have FAR more control over their choices and future than they realize. It’s great for teens because it sends the powerful message: stop waiting until you feel ready… learn to take action. She puts self-doubt, procrastination, and being stuck in their comfort zone in their place and helps teens push past those crummy habits.
6. “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator” by Tim Urban (78 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
This TED Talk will surely get your teen’s attention! It’s funny, hugely relatable, and painfully familiar. In fact, any teen who has ever said, “I’ll do it later,” and then ended up scrolling on their phone for two hours is bound to take this talk to heart. Urban takes a humorous look at the WHY behind procrastination, especially when we know better.
7. “How to Make Stress Your Friend” by Kelly McGonigal (36 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
I think we can all agree that teens (most anyway) have plenty of stress–school, friendships, drama, sports, college applications/decisions, family life, and everything in between. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal presents the idea that HOW our kids think about stress can influence how they experience it. She also talks about the importance of not going it alone and reaching out to others when stress feels high.
8. “Try Something New for 30 Days” by Matt Cutts (16 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
First of all, this inspiring TED Talk is short, lighthearted AND incredibly doable. Matt Cutts talks about how instead of waiting for some huge burst of motivation (which so often never comes), try something new for 30 days. For a teenager who says, “I could never do that,” this talk is the perfect reminder that sometimes you don’t need to commit to changing your entire life; you just need to be willing to try something different for a month.
9. “Looks Aren’t Everything. Believe Me, I’m a Model” by Cameron Russel (41 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
Nothing can shake a teen’s confidence more than feeling they’re not pretty enough or handsome enough. In a world that focuses so heavily on looks with perfectly filtered photos on Instagram and Snapchat, this TED Talk will help your teen realize that looks aren’t everything. In fact, it’s what’s on the inside that really counts.
In this thought-provoking TED Talk with nearly 41 million views, Caroline Russel, admits she won “the genetic lottery.” She’s beautiful – tall, slim, and a model. But after living the life of a model in an industry that had her looking highly seductive at 16 years of age, she stepped back from her career to share her message with teenagers everywhere–nothing matters more than what’s inside.
10. “The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers” by Adam Grant (23 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
For a teenager who’s worried about fitting in, this talk is a wonderful reminder that being different isn’t necessarily something to overcome. In fact, their “uniqueness” is their greatest advantage!
11. “The Power of Introverts” by Susan Cain (36 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
For every teen who isn’t the loudest one in the room or the most outgoing or the most socially confident, this TED Talk can be a revelation. It’s such a powerful message for any teen who has ever felt insecure because they’re not comfortable putting themselves out there…. HINT: It’s okay. Just be YOU!
12. “Why You Think You’re Ugly” by Melissa Butler (2.5 million views)
Why it’s great for teens:
Melissa Butler started making lipstick in her kitchen because she was determined not to change the way she looked to fit into some superficial or trendy beauty standard. Teens will find her passion contagious, with her determination to create a narrative on what beauty is. She offers a powerful reminder to teen girls that they can be their own kind of beautiful. Melissa’s message of self-acceptance and self-love is what every teen needs to hear over and over again.
13. “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Lee Duckworth (38 million views)
What makes some people keep going when something gets difficult while others give up? This TED Talk will get your teen thinking!
Psychologist Angela Duckworth explores the role of grit—passion and perseverance over time. It’s a particularly good talk for teens who are learning that being talented isn’t enough; sometimes the people who keep showing up are the ones who eventually get where they want to go.
One last thing, parents…
Don’t send your teenager this list with a text that says, “You need to watch these. You need more confidence.” You’ll probably get an eye roll before they even click the first link.
Instead, try:
“I came across a couple of these TED Talks and thought you might like them. Want to watch one with me?” And then actually watch it with them.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing isn’t the TED Talk itself. It’s the conversation that happens afterward.
I hope you AND your teen enjoy these TED Talks!
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