RAISING A TEEN

Teenagers are naturally inclined to take more risks than older adults – it’s to do with the way their brains are developing. In some cases this is a good thing, as it helps them adapt to all the changes that being a teen involves. But it can also lead them to make unwise decisions, and get into potentially dangerous situations.

In this section we look at why teens act this way, how you can help them make better decisions and what to do if you’re worried about their behaviour. We also look at some of the risky activities that teens can get involved in, like smoking and vaping, drinking alcohol and experimenting with drugs.