In some ways the 21st century is a very unusual time when it comes to adolescence - a study in the US found that teenagers smoke less, drink less and have less sex than the previous generation. And worldwide young people are coming of age in a digital era, with the dangers and opportunities that represents. Our expectations of teenagers vary hugely depending on the social, historical and cultural context. Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi takes us through the big evolutionary questions about adolescence: Why do humans go through this developmental stage? What's the point of all that teenage angst? And how come every generation stubbornly repeats the same mistakes? She is joined by a panel of experts: Laurence Steinberg is one of the world's leading experts on adolescence. He is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Temple University in Philadelphia, USA. His latest book is called, 'You and Your Adult Child'. Emily Emmott is a lecturer in biological anthropology at University College London. She's currently researching the implications of the social environment around us during our teenage years. Jon Savage is a British writer and music journalist, best known for his history of the Sex Pistols and punk music. He's the author of 'Teenage: The Creation of Youth Culture'. Brenna Hassett is a bioarchaeologist at University College London and the author of 'Growing Up Human: The Evolution of Childhood'. Presented by Ella Al-Shamahi Produced by Jo Impey Image: Teenagers dance the twist around a radio cassette recorder in a street in the Harajuku district of Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, 1978 (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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The distinct musical genre of amapiano can.
Be heard in clubs and parties all around the world.
It's a sound born out of the unique cultural identity of South Africa.
I am Legendary Chris and I'm going.
To take you on a journey of.
Exploration as we dive into the history of the music.
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Take care of yourself, focus on your studies and not on boys and also make great friends.
So my advice would be is to really listen to those who care about you, who have been through a particular experience and listen to it and not repeat it if the end result was already tested and it was negative.
It is easy to feel insecure and depth yourself when you are young, but it is important to remember that everyone.
Has their own unique strength and talents.
No, you haven't tuned into a self help show.
Today's episode of the Forum is on the evolution of teenagers.
And so we asked you to tell us what advice you would give your teenage self and we received over a thousand comments on our BBC World Service Facebook page.
The rather sensible advice you just heard came in from listeners from Kathmandu, Jerusalem and Ethiopia.
Thanks so much to everyone who got in touch.
I had a few favourites of my own, including Christina from Vienna telling herself to spend more time with her grandparents and Louisa from Rio de Janeiro telling her younger self to wear sunscreen on her face and hands.