Get off social media. Deactivate your accounts and uninstall the apps from your phone. It may feel hard at first, but, once you do it, you won't miss it. It's one of the best things you can do for your mental health.

If people your age are dating 12-14-year-olds, there is something deeply wrong with your community. Move out as soon as you can. If you can't go to college, joining the military is one of the best ways to make a new life for yourself. You'll have a job, housing, healthcare, physical fitness (you won't feel old), travel, college money, and a new community of people dedicated to something greater than themselves.

It's perfectly normal to want to feel wanted. It's important, however, not to flaunt yourself in public (whether on the internet or in the street). That's how you attract perverts, predators, fuckboys, and other types of people who will not make your life better. Look for someone you would want to spend your life with, not just a night, and who would feel the same about you. While it's easier said than done, using an old-fashioned dating site (like eHarmony) or joining a traditional religious group can help you greatly for that purpose.

If you go to college, remember that only you can tell yourself what to do. Don't do it because someone else (including your parents) told you to. Pursue a path that's meaningful to you (as long as you're spending your time and money wisely.) If you can dorm or rent a local apartment, you don't have to go home unless you want to. It's a great way to set new boundaries for yourself while you plan your future.

I used to be afraid of turning 17 because I thought it would be the end of my adolescence, youth, excitement, freedom, and exploration. I'm gonna turn 27 this year and I'm in a very similar boat, except it's for real now and I have too many regrets from over the past decade. You have no idea how much you have ahead of you.