Tips for all teens

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure encourages a lot of teens who wouldn’t drink otherwise to start. Try starting a conversation by asking your teen: “How would you react if someone really pushed you to drink?”

Listen to their response and give them additional tips to make their response as assertive as possible. Mention tips like making eye contact, keeping calm, being confident and courageous and standing up straight.

Take some time to brainstorm several ways they could say “no” together. Make sure that they feel like it would be something they would actually say.

Conversation starters

Try to time your chat for a time when your teen is feeling their best and most energized.

Some teens won’t know the first thing about alcohol, and some will think that they know more than they do based on what their friends have taught them. Others may need tips on how to avoid drinking or decline consumption. Here are several conversation starters to consider.

• Why rules and limits around alcohol exist. You could open up a conversation by telling them 43% of teens believe there are no risks associated with teenage drinking.
• Get them to ask questions. You want your teen to feel comfortable talking to you about drinking, and it’s far less likely they will be if you’re not understanding, if you get mad, or if you avoid answering.
• Uh oh! They’re asking you questions you don’t know the answers to. Find them together.
• You’re drinking with friends or family at home, bring up house rules and your views on alcohol.
• You had a drink with dinner and are driving home. Explain legal blood alcohol concentration limits.
• Ask non-threatening questions. Do you know kids who drink? How has it impacted them?
• 86% of both parents and teens say they watch TV together at least once a month. Chat about alcohol commercials and alcohol depiction in TV scenes.
• Have you ever been offered alcohol by someone you knew? If so, what did you say? If not, what would you say?
• Do you see any risks? Do you have any concerns?