Adolescence is the most dramatic and formative period of our lives. Once puberty kicks in and we move to secondary school, our peers take centre stage, and we begin to experience peer pressure and risk-taking. In these pivotal years, adolescents experience sex, love, bullying, friendship, social media and more. According to psychologist Lucy Foulkes, adolescence profoundly shapes who we become as adults, and yet as a period of life, it’s so often dismissed or misunderstood. And even though adults want to protect them, it’s important that as a society we don’t try to prevent teenagers from having the challenging, exhilarating experiences that helps them understand who they are and how to navigate the world.

On Tuesday November 19, Foulkes will come to Intelligence Squared to share surprising insights from her recent book Coming of Age: How Adolescence Shapes Us, gathered from her research as an academic psychologist at the University of Oxford. She will explain why, in contrast to psychologist Jonathan Haidt, she disagrees with blanket bans for smartphones as a solution for improving teen mental health. She will discuss why self-consciousness, risk-taking and sensation-seeking are crucial features of the teenage developmental phase. And she will reveal why being popular can be just as hard as being lonely, and why friendships at this age shape us for life.

This event isn’t just for parents; it’s a must-see for anyone interested in understanding themselves – and the narratives we create about ourselves during our most fragile and formative years.

Join Foulkes alongside journalist and broadcaster Pandora Sykes live at the Pleasance Theatre. Join the discussion and ask your questions in the audience Q&A.