Sexual identity, blended families, single parents (and sometimes none at all), cliques, body-image anxiety, easy access to ever more eclectic illicit drugs – these are just some of the issues facing teens today.

“In the world of the Internet, you’re just one search away from finding out anything that you want to know about anything. There’s nothing that’s off-limits,” said Kenny Miller, vice president for programming and production at The N (the nighttime version of Noggin, Sunflower Broadband Channel 73).

“For a 16-year-old or a 17-year-old, they are out in the world and they know a lot more than we knew as kids, and we need to respect them, otherwise we risk talking down to them. And that is not a recipe for success.”

Television is trying to reflect the new, sophisticated, knowledge level of today’s teens.

The N’s “DeGrassi: The Next Generation” and “South of Nowhere” speak to the experiences of modern kids, offering an authentic reflection of teen culture unheard of a generation ago. The network is adding two new series to its repertoire this summer – “Beyond the Break” and “Whistler” – and another early next year, when the Philadelphia-set and -shot “The Block” joins the lineup.

“The Block” features an openly gay character whose sexuality is self-evident. He is who he is – “coming out” is so 1999. “South of Nowhere” included a lesbian story line this season. And “DeGrassi” has been exploring hot-button issues for years.

“Whistler,” airing at 8 p.m. June 30, is set in a moneyed mountain resort town and begins with the mysterious death of an Olympic snowboarder – the official sport of Generation Y.

“Beyond the Break,” which premiered Friday night, resides in the decidedly warmer climes of Hawaii. The half-hour drama is a tailor-made summer confection, exploring the highly competitive world of professional surfing through the eyes of four young women. Their coach, a slowly aging former surf champion, is played by David Chokachi, the well-preserved former star of “Baywatch.”

“I’m the older-brother kind of figure who has to keep an eye on them and also train them,” Chokachi said. “He’s kind of in over his head, living with four females and dealing with their issues and dealing with his own issues.”

Production is under way on the second season of “South of Nowhere” and the sixth season of “DeGrassi” as well.

Other networks are beginning to move in on The N’s territory. At 7 p.m. Sunday, ABC Family launched “Falcon Beach,” aimed at a similar, if slightly older, audience.

“The world just moves quicker now,” said “Nowhere” creator Tommy Lynch. “Even the basic family structure has changed radically over the last 10 years. I believe all of these changes create the need for teenagers to be independent.”