13. The period of identity formation is quite intricate because: Teenagers spend a huge amount of time on the Internet. Hobbies ruin the plans of a teenager and impede development. Life of a teenager is not stable and not predictable. This period is full of psychological troubles. Teenagers and hobbies Nowadays the youth has troubles with forming the future. Hobbies give teenagers a chance to meet new people, discover new passions, develop skills outside of school, and do something all kids (yes, teens are part kid) should do: have fun. You dont need peer-reviewed scientific studies to tell you that. But you might need a little reminder about adolescent development to drive home the importance of hobbies. Two of the most important things that happen during the teen years are identity formation and differentiation. Identity formation is exactly what it sounds like: its the process of becoming an individual with an entire set of personal wants, needs, skills, and preferences. Its quite a complicated period of life and the choice can be changed on a daily basis. Differentiation is part of identity formation, but and this is crucial differentiation is special. Its the formation of an identity outside and apart from parents and family. Thats where hobbies come in. Hobbies are a great way for teens to form an identity outside their family. And hobbies that take place after school hours can be even better. They also give teenagers a chance to forge their own path outside of the watchful eye of parents and teachers. While in school, teachers act as an extension of the family. Thats the law of the land: both common law dating back centuries and the U.S. Supreme court holding that school officials can act in loco parentis, or in the place of the parents. But things like sports and band are different: its common knowledge that figures like sports coaches and band directors while theyre coaching or directing a band are neither teachers nor parents. They help teens learn and grow in new and different ways, under a unique set of rules and norms all while teaching them skills they dont learn at home or in class. In addition to facilitating basic psychological needs, hobbies benefit teens on many levels. Heres a partial list. Some hobbies are just fun. And thats whats great about them. Theyre no big deal. Theyre not school, theyre not work, theyre not family: theyre just something fun to do to pass the time. And thats one hundred percent okay. When you are pursuing a hobby, you are utilizing your free time in a better way. This keeps you busy and makes you conscious about the importance of time. Learning to manage time helps in leading a more disciplined lifestyle, and keeps you ahead in the game. Everyone needs a way to while away the hours, relieve stress, and have a good time while doing so. Thats the amazing thing about hobbies: they can be just that relatively inconsequential pursuits that make you feel good but they can also be much more. They can be a template for accomplishment, achievement, and success. They can teach a teenager valuable life lessons that resonate across the decades and enrich life on physical, emotional, and psychological levels. When you look at hobbies that way, its a no-brainer: you cant afford not to have one.