Dear Ma'am, I have a child who studies in 9th Class.He has developed addiction for Mobile Games.He has not much interest in Study.He does not prefer to go tuition classes also and even finds fault with his teachers.He never obeys me and rather talks me back.It seems he has gone out of my control.He gets up late in the morning and awake late light.He prefers to play out with his friends and not ready to name study and always demands one thing or the other. What to do to mend his ways ? I am even running out of funds to support his study in Pvt School. Regards,

Ans: Hi!!
This is actually quite common in adolescence, and there isn’t just one reason.

A teen who used to talk a lot may become quieter over time because of changes in their emotional, social, and cognitive development:

* They become more self-aware. As teens grow, they often start thinking more about how others perceive them. This can make them more cautious about what they say.
* They’re processing more internally. Younger children often think out loud. Older teens may spend more time reflecting internally instead of verbalizing everything.
* Social experiences affect confidence. Criticism, embarrassment, bullying, rejection, or feeling misunderstood can lead someone to speak less.
* Friendships and family dynamics change. Teens may withdraw from parents while becoming more selective about who they talk to.
* Stress and responsibilities increase. School pressure, exams, future planning, and personal challenges can leave less mental energy for casual conversation.
* Their personality may be settling. Sometimes a talkative child wasn’t necessarily an extrovert; they were simply comfortable. As they mature, their natural communication style may become quieter.

Just check that the reason for this behaviour is not because of-
Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or chronic stress!

It’s also important to distinguish between:

* A normal developmental shift: talking less, but still engaging with people and enjoying activities.
* A concerning change: becoming withdrawn, isolating themselves, losing interest in things they used to enjoy, or showing signs of distress.