We are all intensely focused on our devices, especially our teens. While it’s tempting to try to fight this reality, sometimes we need to learn to lean into the new technology.
There are so many useful apps that are available for our teens to use, it’s hard to sift through them all, but we’ve done the work for you.
Ten of Our Favorite Apps
All of my teens have had trouble sleeping at one time or another, and this app helps them fall asleep. My children love this app because they can listen to stories, relaxing sounds, dabble in meditation and listen to classes taught by experts in mindfulness. Whether your teen is having trouble sleeping or is looking for a way to calm their anxiety, this app has something for them.
A friend of mine turned me on to this app. It’s wonderful for tracking your period which can help our teen girls understand their bodies and mood fluctuations. Clue can help us understand the effects that hormonal cycles have on our bodies.
Lots of teens and college students use this app to take organized notes. This app lets users create notes that can be text, drawings, photographs, or audio. The basic plan is free and eligible students can get a 50% discount on the premium plan.
This is a free app for the artist in your family. Or, even if your teens don’t think they liked to draw, this can be the gateway to a new hobby or a fun stress reliever. There are hundreds of sketchable brushes to choose from and it literally feels like drawing.
Skillshare is a great place for your ambitious student who may want to start exploring a passion now. There are many things that aren’t offered in high school that your child may want to get a jump start on. SKillshare teaches classes in design, business, as well as many others are led by great instructors — all from home.
This app solves math problems step-by-step and shows the user how to get the answer.
This app allows you to quiz yourself using the various tools Quizlet has to offer.
This app is very popular for people trying to learn a new language. Users can practice readings, writing, speaking, and listening to another language on this app.
Talk Space is great for teens or young adults who aren’t comfortable seeing a therapist face to face, and it’s also the perfect way to get them to talk about their feelings during this pandemic if they are feeling out of sorts and lonely. You can help your teen get matched with a therapist who will be able to coordinate with their schedule. Another added bonus is after a few sessions, if they feel like it’s not a match, they can switch to someone more suited for them at no extra cost.
This app allows users to listen to audiobooks. This app can be very helpful for teens who are auditory learners.
It’s nice to know there are places besides TikTok and Snap Chat where our teens can go for inspiration.