10 Best TED Talks for Teenagers

I love TED Talks! So much so that I gave a TEDx Talk (of course it's on the list below)!

If you're a parent looking for tools to inspire the teenagers in your life (or a teacher, school counselor, or church youth group leader) TED and TEDx Talks are one of the most powerful (free) resources available to help motivation teenagers.

Why TED Talks are Great for Teenagers?

TED Talks are one of the best platforms for teens to learn and grow because they fit the way many teenagers learn best:

They're short: Most TED Talks are 18 minutes or less. In today's world attention spans are getting shorter and shorter. TED Talks deliver powerful lessons while getting straight to he point.

They're story-driven: Let's be honest, teens hate being lectured to. TED Talks don't do that. The most effective TED and TEDx Talks lead with personal stories, humor, and real-world examples that bring the listener right into the talk. It's how youth learn best!

They are trusted: In the AI world, trust and crediblity is at a premium. If a TED or TEDx Talk is on YouTube, you can trust that the the data and research has been validated. More importantly, the experts who give the talks were chose because they have an idea worth being on the TED stage.

Here are the 10 best TED and TEDx Talks for Teenagers! My advice - sit down and watch each talk with your kids over the next 10 days. It will create incredible discussion around the dinner table!

Click here for YouTube Playlist with All 10 TED Talks

1. Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator

by Tim Urban

Tim Urban uses humor and hand-drawn illustrations to help explain why our brains procrastinate so much. Teens will love this talk because it makes complete sense! This talk is equaly parts funny and real and it ends with a message that will make you recognize the true cost of procrastination.

2. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

by Angela Lee Duckworth

What actually predicts success in school, work, and life? Psychologist Angela Duckworth, who spent years researching shares that it isn't talent or IQ. It's grit. This talk gives teenagers a new perspective on their struggles and challenges and teaches them that fighting through the hard things is a skill you can develop, not a trait. This is a MUST WATCH!

3. One Second of Strength

by Youth Speaker Tanner Clark

Of course I had to add my own TEDx Talk to this list! But in all seriousness, this talk helps teenagers understand the power they have in One Second of Strength to choose focus over distraction, courage over fear, and growth over comfort. In a world of instant gratification where short-term pleasure is winning, this TEDx Talk gives you the strength to put down your phone and pursue what matters most.

To learn more about bringing me to speak at your school, conference, or business click here.

4. The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything

by Josh Kauffman

Have you ever heard that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something? Josh Kauffman challenges this belief by showing that it takes 20 hours to learn something new. This TEDx Talk shares that learning a new skill is really about overcoming the fear of feeling stupid. If you have ever talked yourself out of trying something new, this TEDx Talk is for you.

5. How Not to Take Things Personally

by Frederik Imbo

One of the most underrated talks on this list, Frederik Imbo helps teenagers with something they deal with every single day: taking everything personally. This talk is so good! The speaker breaks down why we react the way we do and gives listeners a mindset shift that can immediately improve relationships with friends, parents, coaches, and teachers.

6. How to Gain Control of Your Free Time

by Laura Vanderkam

This TED Talk is perfect for teenagers (and adults). Are you too busy? Laura Vanderkam shares that how you talk about time matters. This talk is a wake-up call about intentionality and how to better manage your time as it relates to school, friends, sports and activities, and screens. Don't miss this TED Talk for teens!

7. The Skill of Humor

by (An)Drew Tarvin

Humor is a powerful tool teenagers can, and should, use in their life to reduce stress, improve communcation, and make hard things manageable. When you feel pressure to "always be on" or when life feels serious, this talk gives you permission to lighten up and laugh a little.

8. What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness

by Robert Waldinger

Did you know Harvard has a 75 year happiness study? In this TED Talk, Harvard psychiatrist Robert Waldinger shares what actually makes people happy and healthy. The answer will suprise most teenagers and no, it's not money, fame or achievement). This talk is a powerful reminder of what really matters and will help teenagers be happier.

9. How to Speak So That People Want to Listen

by Julian Treasure

This talk is incredibly powerful for teenagers. Whether it's in school presenations, job interviews, or everyday conversations, this talk will teach you the skills to make people lean in, instead of tuning out!

10. How to Make Stress Your Friend

by Kelly McGonigal

Is stress bad? Health psychologist Kelly McGonigal shares the research that changed her mind. The truth is that stress is harmful when you believe it is. So as you navigate pressure at school, social anxiety, and life transitions remember that stress doesn't have to be negative!

How to Use this List of TED Talks?

You have two options: 1. Send these to your teenagers and watch them alone or 2. watch them together as a family. There is power in discussion and learning together. After each video, ask these questions:

• What is one thing you want to try from this talk?

• Did anything in the talk surprise you or challenge something you believed?

• How does this connect to something you're going through right now?

Whether you're a teenagers, student, parent, teacher, bookmark this list. Each one of these talks can plant a seed that will help you grow for years!

Want to bring a Tanner's One Second of Strength message to your school or event? Tanner Clark is a Teen Motivation Speaker who works with middle schools, high schools, and youth leadership CTSO's to empower students to have grit, focus, and overcome the pitfalls of social media. Click here to learn more about Tanner live events .