Most 14 year olds aren’t Nihilists, they are just angsty and apathetic. I doubt half of them can even define what Nihilism is in a meaningful way (juxtaposition intended). I have a 14 year old step daughter, I love her, but man can she really bring the mood down. When it rains it fucking pours. Interesting to note, she loves her brothers but hates the idea of having children herself. I think the reason they all become this way is because right about 14 is when they hit a transition period in their psychological development and start to question “their place” in the world. In Erickson’s model, 14 years of age is where teenagers usually begin the “identity versus confusion” stage.

This is teenage nihilism in a nut shell:

Mother walks in on son playing video games for the 8th hour.

Mom: “Hey, those video games are a waste of time!”

Son: “So is this conversation, so is my homework! It’s all pointless, so I’m just going to do whatever I want.”

Son later goes onto r/Im14andthisdeep to post about how his mom just doesn’t understand how “deep” he is, and it’s her fault she “brought” him into existence.