My niece visited us this past midterm break, and I observed that she was keen on living her life to the fullest. She was keen on engaging with all my daughters’ friends and even following them on their socials.

What didn’t seem right was that she would text them secretly, as if trying to build some form of friendship that would supersede the friendship these friends had with my daughter. Looking back at her lifestyle in primary school, it didn’t take long to figure out that she had picked up attention-seeking habits.

Attention-seeking behaviours in teenagers often manifest through excessive social media use, dramatic storytelling, or disruptive actions. These habits often stem from deeper psychological and environmental factors such as;

Low self-esteem

Many teens seek attention to validate their self-worth if they feel overlooked or struggle with self-esteem. They may resort to exaggerated behaviour or rebellion to get recognition from their peers, parents, or teachers.

Need for social acceptance

Adolescence often comes with a desire to fit in. A teen who feels excluded may engage in attention-seeking actions—whether positive, such as excelling in school, or negative, such as acting out, to gain approval or a sense of belonging.

Lack of emotional support

A home environment where a teen feels unheard or unappreciated can push them to seek validation elsewhere. If they are not receiving enough positive reinforcement, they may resort to extreme behaviour to gain attention.

Influence of social media

With the rise of digital platforms, likes and comments serve as validation. Some teenagers become dependent on social media engagement, using it as a way to gain approval and feel noticed.