What is the appropriate expression for Troubled Teens in the UK?

Hello,





I am US based marketing consultant pulling together a marketing piece to market US based schools for UK teens who are substance abusers, low self esteem, etc. In the US, the term typically used to describe teens exhibiting such behavoir as "troubled teens". I have heard that perhaps in the UK, this term is not appropriate...perhaps teens who are "off the rails" is more appropriate. What do you think is the best way to describe such teens in the UK market?

What is the appropriate expression for Troubled Teens in the UK?
'Off the rails' is slang and derogatory, implying madness, so I wouldn't suggest you use that term.





I haven't heard a generic term for this, but the one you have stated would be equally acceptable here I guess.
Reply:Off the rails is defenitley not the right phrase to use, a more appropriate phrase would be distressed teens, they are worried about the sudden transition of changing from a child to an adult it is a major shock, and as a teen myself i can relate. Report It

Reply:I think the terms is about the same, but there are terms like Ned/Chav for trouble makers. Druggie is a term for drug takers but that is for all ages
Reply:mental health issues is one term that can be used;)
Reply:wild child
Reply:asbo kids...only joking





'troubled teens' is not positive and neither is 'off the rails'... i used to do art therapy with 'troubled' children and most of them are less 'troubled' than they are badly parented and unsupported. The one thing i do know though is that you should try to think of something more positive because no one likes to hear a negative...it gives an often wrong and preconceived idea. Maybe try appealing to the sympathy vote rather than making people afraid of what they see that way you may get more support. Kids will also be more inclined to listen if they feel they are being supported and not slated.Why do you need to stereotype with this kind of label anyways? this alienates a lot of people be they kids or adults. Cant you just highlight the problems without having a 'name' for these children and work more on drumming up sympathy and support in your marketing campaign? Its hard to help anymore without knowing the nature of the campaign what it involves and who its geared at so more details would probably help, anyways good luck with it
Reply:little b@stards, scum, druggies etc
Reply:Hi,





Cannabis got me through my exams with flying colours. But I have grown up a bit now so frown on that sort of thing but I think that the term your are looking for could be, Yob's , Youths , Pot-Heads, Pill-Heads, Chav's , Pikie's, Gypsy's , Oiks, Urchin's, Rat-Kids,Jouvile Dilinquents, and a commonly used term little shi*ts.





Good luck
Reply:Bloody wild eyed maniacs?
Reply:CHav/Ned if they are trouble makers, Emo if they are depressed all the time
Reply:I think 'troubled teens' and 'off the rails' are both fine.





I do live in the UK, in case you were wondering.
Reply:Arrested
Reply:SCREWED UP