Colman Noctor: Music helps teens hit the right note within themselves and with others

The way today's adolescents consume music is very different to previous generations but research has shown music still holds significant psychological importance for many teenagers

Music still matters in adolescence, even if its role is less visible than in previous generations. Picture: iStock

A familiar scene plays out in my therapy room. A young person comes in, sits down, removes their headphones or AirPods, places them carefully beside them, and gives me a look that says, ‘I’m ready’.

Before we begin, I often ask a simple question: “What are you listening to?”