Key points to remember
- Taking risks is a normal part of growing up.
- Teens and young people take risks for many reasons, from curiosity to seeking peer friendship and inclusion.
- Your child is more likely to take risks if their peers do.
- Risk-taking is not always bad; the key is to watch for warning signs of dangerous risks.
- Pick a relaxed time and place to talk with your child about risk-taking.
- Encourage your child to take positive risks, such as starting a new hobby or sport.
What is risk-taking?
Risk-taking is the act of doing something where the result is unknown. The outcome may be positive, but it may also be harmful. However, not all risks have the same stakes. In some cases, a bad result can have a small impact – for example, missing a class
at school. In other cases, a bad result can have a big impact, such as driving after drinking alcohol.
Why do teens take risks?
Taking risks is a normal and healthy part of growing up. It is how young people learn from their experiences and test boundaries, helping them form their own identities.
There are many reasons why teens may take risks, such as:
- Curiosity
- Seeking friendship and inclusion from peers
- Learning new skills
- Chasing positive feelings
- Escaping negative feelings
- Developing a sense of purpose
- Gaining independence
- Pressure from friends.
Young people undergo many changes during puberty. Their bodies change, their social skills mature, and their brains develop more complex ways of thinking. Teenagers are particularly motivated by the good feelings they get when their actions have positive results; this makes them more likely to seek these feelings in the future. For example, if a teenager makes a joke and their friends laugh and praise them, they are more likely to do it again.
Examples of risk-taking in teens and young people
Common examples of problematic risk-taking behaviour in teens include:
- Drinking alcohol
- Vaping and smoking
- Taking illegal drugs
- Driving and being driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Risky mobile and social media use, such as sexting and posting personal information online
- Gambling
- Unsafe sexual activity, such as unprotected sex
- Violent or aggressive behaviour towards others.
These behaviours are risky on their own, but they can also happen together. For example, a teenager who has drunk a lot of alcohol may be more likely to have unsafe sex.
The role of peers in risk-taking
When children are young, they rely on advice from their parents and caregivers. As they age, their peers tend to play a bigger role in their decision-making. This shift is an important part of healthy growth and development.
From exploring new interests together to strengthening friendships and building their identities, the people a child spends time with can shape their behaviour. This is a good thing; a teenager’s friends encourage them to take positive risks, such as starting a new hobby or standing up for a cause they care about.
It is important to note that peer influence also extends to risk-taking. Young people may take risks similar to those of their peers, and they are more likely to take risks if their peers do.
Prepare your teen for positive relationships with their peers by talking about consent. Discussing the importance and meaning of consent will empower your child to set boundaries and say ‘no.’
Signs that my child is taking dangerous risks
Your child may not tell you when they have made a bad, risky decision – especially if they worry about how you will react.
Remember, not all risk-taking is bad for teenagers. The key is to learn the warning signs that your child may be taking dangerous risks. These could be:
- Withdrawing from family and/or specific friends
- A sudden drop in school marks
- Taking multiple days off school
- Asking for money frequently
- Spending extended time away from the house without explaining where they were.
If you are worried your child has a problem with drugs or alcohol, watch for other physical symptoms such as fatigue, hallucinations, vomiting, sweating, irritability, enlarged pupils or bloodshot eyes.
By paying attention to the signs, you can act early and support your teen in making informed choices.
How do I talk to my teen about risk-taking?
Talking to your teen about risky situations is a great way to prepare them for their journey ahead. Young people are naturally curious; this stage of life is all about learning and experimenting. The more you can teach them about safe risk-taking in a relaxed home setting, the less likely they are to seek information from other, less reliable sources.
When talking with your child about risky behaviours, keep the conversation light and free of accusations. The goal is to empower your child, not scare them. For example, you could ask how they feel about their peers vaping or smoking. If they mention a friend’s risky behaviour, use this as a starting point and ask open follow-up questions. It is better to focus on positive risk-taking rather than the dangers of risky decisions in these conversations.
Positive risk-taking
Positive risks are legally and socially acceptable risks where bad results are less likely to have major negative effects – for example, attending a new social event. Taking a positive risk still triggers the good feelings linked with risk-taking.
By taking positive risks, teenagers can learn to master new skills safely. Work with your teen to find activities that suit their interests. If they are a thrill seeker, they may like rock climbing or bouldering. If they enjoy music, they may like going to concerts. The goal of encouraging positive risk-taking is not to remove risks altogether but to channel risk-taking urges into productive behaviours.
Supporting your teen
The best way to support your teen is to connect with them. Young people who have strong relationships with their parents and caregivers are less likely to take harmful risks.
There is no way to stop your child from making risky decisions. However, there are things you can do to support and prepare them for dangerous situations.
- Check-in regularly
- Keep up with who is in their friendship group
- Make sure they always have your mobile number and a way to contact you
- Have an emergency contact plan – especially when they are away from home
- Learn where parties are happening
- Talk with your teen about staying safe and how to say ‘no’
- Have open, direct and positive conversations about consent
- Schedule a pick-up time or organise a transport plan for them to get home
- Assure them they can always call you for help in any situation
- Check they are familiar with how to dial 000 in an emergency.
It is a good idea to speak with your teen about when your supervision is helpful versus when they feel safe doing things alone.
Common questions about risk-taking behaviours in teens
What sort of teens are more likely to take dangerous risks?
All teenagers take risks; however, some are more likely to take dangerous risks than others. Risky behaviours are more common in teens who have mental health difficulties, are under severe stress, or feel isolated from family, peers and community.
How can I help my teen if they make a risky decision?
The best thing you can do to help your teen after a risky decision is to support them. Expressing anger, judgement or resentment in the heat of the moment may only cause them to hide future behaviour from you. Instead, make sure your teen is safe and you are both calm before talking about their decision.
My child’s friends are bad influences. How can I stop them from pressuring my child?
You may not be able to stop your child from being friends with certain people, but you can reduce their influence on your child’s behaviour. As a starting point, keep the lines of communication open so your child knows they can always speak to you. Then, set reasonable boundaries and discuss these with your child. Ask open questions that encourage reflection – such as ‘What do you like about your friends?’ If you are worried about their wellbeing, express your concerns using ‘I’ statements, like ‘I noticed you are hanging out with your new friends and coming home late. Can you help me understand why?’
Should I be worried about my teen taking risks?
It is normal for teens to push the boundaries. A risky decision now and then may not be cause for concern. If your child is often in dangerous situations, such as drinking large amounts of alcohol, taking illegal drugs or getting into fights, you may wish to speak to a doctor or mental health professional.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medicine department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed November 2024.
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.