'It is harder to be young today: inside the 24-hours of a teenager growing up today

'It is harder to be young today: inside the 24-hours of a teenager growing up today EXCLUSIVE: Far from a "snowflake generation" making excuses, today's teenagers are navigating unprecedented times. 16-year-old student Lily Lawson reveals the reality of growing up today - and why social media, job fears, and delayed diagnoses are putting immense pressure on teenagers Today's young people are not simply a "snowflake generation" struggling to cope, the head of a major independent review into mental health, ADHD and autism has warned - it is genuinely harder to be young today. Professor Peter Fonagy told the BBC there has been a real rise in mental distress among children and young adults, with anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating disorders among the most pressing challenges. His review, ordered by former health secretary Wes Streeting, is expected to reveal that roughly one in four 16 to 24-year-olds now struggles with their mental health. "It's harder to be young now," the 74-year-old told the BBC, adding: "I'm in awe of the way they have adjusted to an environment that is far more difficult than I ever had to face." For 16-year-old Lily Lawson, those pressures are very real. The Bristol student was diagnosed with ADHD in May 2024, but like thousands of young people across the UK, she remains trapped on an agonisingly long NHS waiting list for an official autism diagnosis. She says that social media adds an overwhelming layer of expectation for teenagers, while severe anxiety can make everyday everyday tasks - like travelling on public transport alone - feel like huge challenges. Here, Lily takes us through a typical day in her life. 7.30am "I wake up, get changed, brush my teeth and have breakfast. I'll check Snapchat for about five minutes, then put my phone down and prepare for the day." 9am "I leave for college, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Being on any kind of transport has always been difficult for me, because of my anxiety, and I've only recently been able to use public transport on my own. "I'm always on my phone or have my headphones to listen to music because I get scared about what people are thinking or talking about. "My mum has helped me gradually build up my confidence and, over time, I've started going places with my friends. 9.30am "I'm in college until 4.30pm studying Health and Social Care. College gives me far more freedom than secondary school because I can build my own timetable. "Having that freedom has really helped me boosted my confidence. At school, you have to follow a certain routine, which can be helpful for people with ADHD and autism, but growing up and accepting that you're on the spectrum can be difficult. 12.15pm "At lunch, I reply to a few WhatsApp messages and scroll TikTok for a couple of minutes. I notice more people are online at lunchtime and we all share videos back and forth. "I try not to spend my whole break on my phone. I prefer talking to my friends, walking around Bath or chatting to teachers. It's important to get outside and have some fresh air. "Social media can be a big source of anxiety. I've created loads of new accounts because I felt like people were judging me, and I delete TikToks all the time when the comments get too much. "It's so addictive - being on TikTok for seven or eight hours a day can become a massive dopamine hit." 5pm "After college, I'll usually walk around town with a friend before heading home. From there, I might do some coursework or go to one of my clubs, including theatre and Army Cadets. "Those clubs help me get off my phone because I'm creating a community outside social media and making friends away from an electronic screen." 10pm "I get home from my evening clubs and usually head to bed around 11pm or midnight. "Before I can fall sleep, though, I usually doomscroll for about an hour. "There's another worry sitting in the back of my mind: finding a job I've attended so many job interviews, and they never get back to you. They want someone with experience, but how do you get that experience?" Lily is supporting Outward Bound - which operates five centres across England, Scotland and Wales - as it launches its Big Shake-Up campaign to guide young people, parents, and teachers through key life transitions.