More than you think. They are concerned about being independent, which means affording rent which leads them to think about buy vs rent.

No, there are a near-zero number of 13-17 year olds worried about how they’re going to pay their rent when they graduate from college. Those that do generally see things through the optimism of youth and assume everything will work out.

lol if anything teenagers can afford rent anywhere because they have no kids, no spouses and are quite happy eating cheap microwaveable food.

They also are the least likely age group to demand lots of cleanliness and personal space, which drive up rents in most places.

I agree, but maybe we're projecting? We didn't have to think about it, it was a given that we'd move out and rent somewhere and eventually buy a home, only for the poorest in society would this be unattainable and much of the rest would be covered by social housing projects.

Many people in their 30's and 40's are now finding out that this isn't the case and it's talked about a lot, so teenagers are more likely aware. There's also a better chance that they're coming from a family that has never owned a home.

It still affects them - what if their parents (or parent, single) can't afford to move them into a decent school district, for example?

The article says this is not limited to an economic class

The article says that about the effects of smartphones. We're talking about the effects of the housing market right here.