Mind Shift (KQED)

The pandemic has prolonged the post-graduation transition amid a tough economy. With the lack of in-person interaction, young professionals are trying to adjust to a diminishing social circle.

Annual state testing was canceled last year because of the pandemic. Many states want to skip it again, but the Education Department says no.

Being alone coccooning in their rooms or breaking away from one's families are just some ways tweens and teens excercise independence in developmentally appropriate ways.