09/18/2026
A third space is defined as a social space separate from work/school and home, and for teenagers, there is a serious lack of these third spaces specifically made for them. Third spaces allow for a safe, accessible place to hang out, meet people, and develop social skills.
Without these places available, people turn to alternative methods of fake connection like social media, or are more likely to turn to possibly unsafe places to hang out. More third spaces for teens benefit everyone.
Have you ever found yourself in the Walmart parking lot at 11 o`clock at night just hanging out because there's nowhere else to go? This is an effect of not having any other places to go. And speaking from personal experience, it is not the most interesting or safe place.
When you're a kid, you have playgrounds and parks, and then when you hit a certain age, there stop being any places for you until you are in college.
In the 90s, mall culture was a major trend in teenage third spaces.
