They are fiercely independent, yet long for acceptance. They are not children, and not yet adults. In many ways, the life stage of adolescence is fraught with confusion and may even seem to be contradictory at times.

As young teens undergo the daily changes and deep frustrations that adolescence can bring, it can be difficult to decipher their particular experiences in a way that makes sense. And when it comes to finding advice online, you're likely to find information from researchers written in cold, clinical language-or posts from the average parent or layperson who is just as...