Not First, Not Second, But Third Place
By Jayden Kim Nov. 4, 2026
On any given afternoon, the local boba shop is packed. Teenagers fill every corner booth, balancing laptops and colorful drinks while chatting over plates of popcorn chicken. Instead of heading straight home or staying after school, modern teens increasingly gravitate toward these neutral, low-stress spaces to unwind and connect—occupying a vital modern fixture known as the “third place.”
In 1989, the sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third place” in his book “The Great Good Place,” defining it as a setting for informal public life that youths can regularly travel to and feel a sense of community, connection and tranquility. In order to escape academic or family pressures at their first places, homes, and second places, schools, teens enjoy having specific locations to go to for comfort or relaxation. Overwhelmed by extracurricular activities, academics and sports, modern youth navigate an increasingly stressful landscape. Combined with social media, new forms of comparison uniquely compound the pressures of today’s digital age.
In San José, teens and adults have access to an assortment of different third places, including restaurants and malls. Popular options include the City of San José Youth and Teen Centers, alongside spots like Cafe LaTea, the Capital One Cafe and the Coffee and Chai, which are frequently highlighted on Yelp for their cozy, quiet atmospheres.
“Generally, when going out, I go to the mall or play badminton at places like Bintang with my friends. Occasionally, I also visit a friend’s house on free days,” Sophomore Fangfei Liu said.
For a location to become a popular third place, a variety of factors come into play. Inclusivity and affordability are paramount, as visitors seek welcoming communities that are free from pressure to make expensive purchases. Additional perks—such as free Wi-Fi, convenient location and inviting designs—further elevate a space’s appeal. For instance, a cozy indoor seating area with reliable Wi-Fi often draws more regular visitors than an underutilized public park. According to Boston University, people prefer places where they feel genuinely welcomed for diverse social interactions rather than choosing spots solely based on digital hype.
However, social media is far from a nonfactor. Platforms like Instagram and Tiktok frequently introduce teens to new aesthetic hotspots. Places that look appealing, warm and inviting both online and in reality can attract youths looking to spend time with friends, thus photogenic locations where people can take aesthetic pictures are becoming popular as third places. Yet, while aesthetic appeal draws people in initially, a welcoming atmosphere and true inclusivity are what keep spaces popular long-term.
“Normally, I go to the trails that surround the school or malls to hang out with my friends, after most of my studying is done during tutorials. Those locations are convenient and easy to reach for my friends and I, and my presence on the cross-country team means that I frequent the trails and enjoy their abundance of activities and occasional silence,” Junior Tyler Orth said.
Overall, the presence of third places appears to yield clear benefits. Developmental psychologist Deborah Lowe Vandell found that students who visit third places score higher in standardized testing, have higher GPAs and complete their homework on a greater basis.
Even as digital spaces and social media platforms continue to evolve, physical third places remain a prevalent part of student life. By offering comforting, low-pressure environments away from school or work, these physical hubs continue to fulfill a measurable role in support that may not be found in schools or the workplace.
About the Contributors
Jayden Kim
Staff Writer
Jayden Kim is a sophomore at Leland High School currently working as a Staff Writer for The Charger Account. He generally likes to practice violin, relax in his room, or study math problems whenever he has free time. One of his favorite pastimes, along with those mentioned, is to enjoy time with friends online or outside.
Janelle Yang
Artist
Janelle Yang is a sophomore at Leland High School and is one of the artists for The Charger Account. In her free time she enjoys chatting with friends, listening to various types of music genres, or practicing different art styles to help improve her future pieces.
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