How To Help Your Teen Make Friends & Socialize

The teenage years are a prime time for social development. Friendships become life-changing as teens explore their identity, develop a sense of belonging, and learn vital social skills. 

However, making friends and socializing can be challenging, especially with the pressures of school, social media, and busy schedules. As a parent, you can play a valuable role in helping your teen develop confidence, find social opportunities, and build strong connections. 

Here are some practical ways to support your teen in making friends and feeling comfortable in social situations.

1. Encourage Self-Awareness and Confidence

One of the most critical steps in helping your teen make friends is fostering their self-awareness and confidence. Teens who feel comfortable with who they are tend to have an easier time connecting with others. 

Encourage your teen to explore their interests, talents, and values to gain a clearer sense of self. Remind them that true friendships often form when they are authentic and comfortable in their skin. You can support this by celebrating their uniqueness and encouraging them to try new things, boosting their confidence and exposing them to others who share their interests.

It can also help to have open discussions about self-esteem and positive self-talk. If they’re worried about fitting in, encourage them to focus on qualities they value in themselves rather than on any perceived shortcomings. 

Reinforcing the importance of being genuine can remind them that friendships are not about changing to fit in but about finding people who appreciate them as they are.

2. Practice Social Skills Together

Social skills can sometimes feel intimidating, even for adults, but they are foundational for forming and sustaining friendships. Helping your teen develop these skills can give them the confidence to approach others and connect meaningfully. 

Role-playing different social scenarios is one way to do this together. Practicing small talk, starting conversations, showing active listening, and picking up on social cues are essential skills that can help teens feel more comfortable in social settings.

For example, they can practice introducing themselves to new people or sharing common interests to spark a conversation. Teach them about body language, eye contact, and how to respond to others with genuine interest. These subtle yet powerful tools can make socializing feel more approachable and even enjoyable.

3. Support Their Hobbies and Interests

A natural way to make friends is through shared interests, so encourage your teen to pursue hobbies and activities they enjoy. Joining a sports team, theater group, art class, or coding club can offer opportunities for socialization with others who share their interests. 

These structured environments can reduce the pressure to initiate social interactions, as they provide a built-in context for conversation and bonding. If your teen is unsure about what they enjoy, suggest trying different activities to see what clicks. 

Sometimes, it’s a matter of finding a place where they feel they can belong. Exploring their interests with the support of like-minded peers can foster connections that feel natural and rewarding.

4. Encourage Participation in School or Community Events

Attending school or community events can be another excellent way for teens to make new friends. School clubs, sports games, volunteer opportunities, or community gatherings provide spaces where teens can meet people in a relaxed setting. 

Encourage your teen to participate in at least one club or activity that appeals to them, even if they’re initially hesitant. Sometimes, just being in the same space as other teens with similar interests can be the first step toward making connections.

If possible, offer to drive them to events or help them find ways to get involved. For teens who are particularly introverted or shy, a parent’s support can help ease their anxiety and make it easier to engage in new environments. Remind them that social skills take practice and that putting themselves out there will eventually make them feel more comfortable.

5. Create Opportunities for Social Interaction Outside of School

While school can be a good place to make friends, it’s not the only venue for socializing. Community centers, sports leagues, summer camps, and extracurricular programs can offer additional opportunities for meeting new people. 

Many community organizations host activities specifically for teens, such as movie nights, outdoor adventures, or leadership workshops. Explore these local resources together, and encourage your teen to participate in activities that match their interests.

In addition, you can find even more opportunities for connection in safe, supportive online environments. A Hero Journey Club group can provide a safe space for your teen to connect with others in a therapist-facilitated environment.

6. Discuss the Importance of Empathy and Kindness

Empathy and kindness are essential qualities in any friendship. When teens practice empathy, they can understand others’ feelings and perspectives, which helps them connect on a deeper level. 

Encourage your teen to show genuine interest in others, listen actively, and show kindness in their interactions. Discuss the importance of being supportive and respectful in their relationships, and remind them that they can model these behaviors for others.

You can also encourage them to take an interest in people who might be on the quieter side or who may not have many friends. Being inclusive can create a positive dynamic, and reaching out to others who may feel left out is a great way for teens to build meaningful connections.

7. Address Social Media and Online Friendships

Social media is a huge part of teens’ social lives today. While it can be a valuable tool for staying connected, it can also lead to feelings of exclusion, comparison, and insecurity. 

Talk openly with your teen about healthy social media use and the differences between online and real-life friendships. Encourage them to set boundaries, use social media positively, and remember that social media rarely reflects the full story of someone’s life.

For many teens, online friendships are genuine connections. If your teen has friends they talk to online through shared gaming communities or forums, acknowledge those relationships as valid but also encourage them to seek offline friendships. 

Real-life interactions help teens develop social skills and emotional resilience that can only be nurtured through face-to-face contact.

8. Encourage Resilience and Self-Compassion

Friendship building isn’t always easy, and teens may experience setbacks, misunderstandings, or rejection. It’s important to teach your teen resilience and self-compassion during these times. 

Remind them that it’s okay if not every attempt to make a friend works out and that these experiences are part of learning. Encourage them to focus on their strengths and qualities and remind them that they are deserving of friendships that make them feel valued and supported.

Modeling resilience yourself can also be impactful. Share stories from your own life, whether current or from when you were their age, to show that everyone faces challenges with friendships. Hearing about your own experiences can help normalize these struggles and remind them that social skills, like any skill, take practice and patience.

9. Connect Them With Supportive Online Communities 

Sometimes, teens need additional support to build social skills and confidence, and Hero Journey Club is a fantastic resource. Hero Journey Club offers therapist-led support groups within the virtual setting of games like Minecraft and Stardew Valley, where teens can develop friendships and learn essential self-regulation and social skills in a familiar environment. 

In these virtual groups, teens have a unique chance to build friendships guided by mental health professionals, which can help them navigate social interactions in a positive, low-pressure setting. 

Hero Journey Club’s approach blends fun with growth, creating an environment where teens can practice empathy, resilience, and emotional regulation — all while enjoying the immersive world of a game they love. Programs like these can be beneficial for teens who struggle with face-to-face socializing, offering a comfortable place to explore their social abilities.

10. Be Patient and Supportive

Finally, it’s essential to practice patience and be a supportive presence as your teen navigates the complexities of making friends and socializing. Social skills and friendships take time to develop, and every teen moves at their own pace. 

Listen to their experiences, offer guidance when needed, and validate their feelings. Avoid pressuring them or focusing on their progress. Instead, focus on building trust and encouraging open communication so they feel comfortable turning to you when they need support.

By creating a safe, non-judgmental environment, you can empower your teen to explore their social world at their own pace, knowing they have a supportive home base to return to. Ultimately, by encouraging self-confidence, empathy, and patience, you’re helping them build the foundation for lifelong social skills and meaningful friendships.

Hero Journey Club Can Support Your Teen’s Social Development

If your teen could benefit from additional support in building friendships and developing social skills, Hero Journey Club offers a unique solution. In our groups, your teen can connect, express their feelings, and learn valuable skills that they’ll use for life, all within a safe, therapist-led environment.

Sign your child up for their first session today.

Sources:

What Self-Awareness Really Is (and How to Cultivate It) | HBR

Five Tips for Nonjudgmental Listening | Mental Health First Aid

Signs of Insecurity | WebMD

A Guide to Setting Better Boundaries | HBR