Friends and classmates can influence decisions, especially during the adolescent and teenage years. See seven ways to help. Show
From the beginning, parents work to teach their children how to make healthy decisions. But as children age, parents' influence decreases and the opinion of peers becomes more and more important. Social pressure can affect a wide range of thoughts, actions and behaviors, from academic performance to substance use to mental health. "Teens have so much on their plates," says Stacie Goran, LPC, LCDC, Teen Recovery Program Manager at Children's Health℠. "Between school expectations, parental guidelines, the desire to fit in and the influences of their peers, it's easy to become overwhelmed and follow the group. It's important that teens develop their own identity and learn how to hold firm to their values to avoid peer pressure." Learn more about the types and effects of peer pressure and how you can prepare your child to deal with it in a healthy way. What is peer pressure?Peer pressure is internal or external pressure felt to behave in certain ways, both good and bad. Peer pressure begins as early as age 10 with the forming of social groups in elementary school and increases during adolescence, throughout junior high and high school. Changing hormones, developing brains and emerging identities makes the start of adolescence a particularly vulnerable time, where peer pressure is most influential. This is also a stage in life where friend groups are of utmost importance and the need to fit in is a major factor in decision making. Types of peer pressureThere are several different types of peer pressure that kids and adolescents may experience. Types of peer pressure include spoken and unspoken, direct and indirect, and negative and positive. What are the effects of peer pressure?The effects of peer pressure can manifest differently in each person. Peer pressure can play on certain strengths or challenges that an adolescent already faces. For example, a teen with low confidence and few close friends may be more susceptible to the effects of negative peer pressure, while a confident, extroverted teen may be more likely to give and receive positive peer pressure. Negative peer pressure can encourage teenagers to participate in negative behaviors and habits, such as: Negative peer pressure can also affect mental health. It can decrease self-confidence and lead to poor academic performance, distancing from family members and friends, or an increase in depression and anxiety. Left untreated, this could eventually lead teens to engage in self-harm or have suicidal thoughts. On the other hand, social pressure can have positive effects on teens as well. Positive effects of peer pressure can include pressure to:
Positive peer pressure can foster sense of belonging, self-confidence and a solidified sense of self. What are the effects of social media on peer pressure?Just as in-person interactions can be both positive and negative, communication through social media can also have a positive or negative effect. Social media is constantly available, enabling teens to receive those messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means social media has great potential to amplify feelings of peer pressure, both negative and positive. One common social media misrepresentation is when people post the "best" of their lives, creating a false sense of reality. This can lead teens to compare the true reality of their lives to the "picture-perfect" portrayal of others' lives and feel pressure to keep up. Additionally, the absence of in-person feedback can enable an environment in which people share harmful content or abusive comments that they would not otherwise say in person. This phenomenon (called trolling) is an incredibly pervasive form of negative peer pressure found on social media. There have also been examples of harmful online challenges that have the potential to negatively impact a child's health. Fortunately, social media can also promote positive peer pressure through groups that support charitable causes or pages that highlight inspirational stories. Access to social media also allows us to stay connected to far away family and friends in ways that were not possible before. To support children in an age of screens and social media, it's important for parents to teach healthy digital habits that encourage emotional health. How can teens deal with peer pressure?Given the effects that peer pressure can have on adolescents and teens, it's important for parents to encourage open communication and help their child prepare for situations of negative peer pressure. See seven tips to help teens avoid negative peer pressure and respond in a healthy way.
If you continue to have concerns regarding your child and peer pressure, reach out to teachers, school administration or a mental health professional for additional support. Learn moreThe Children's Health pediatric psychiatry and psychology department provides comprehensive services to support children's and teens' mental health. Learn more about our programs and services. Children’s Health Family NewsletterGet health tips and parenting advice from Children’s Health experts sent straight to your inbox twice a month. Sign up now. What does peer pressure lead to?Negative peer pressure is often related to influencing bullying behaviours, drinking alcohol, drug use and negative body image, all of which are harmful to a child or young person's wellbeing. The effects of such behaviours can decrease self-confidence, self-worth and distancing from family members and friends.
What are the 3 consequences of peer pressure?Negative effects of peer pressure include: pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. pressure to engage in risk taking behaviours. distraction from schoolwork.
Who does peer pressure affect the most?Peer Pressure. Peers play a large role in the social and emotional development of children and adolescents. Their influence begins at an early age and increases through the teenage years. It is natural, healthy and important for children to have and rely on friends as they grow and mature.
What is the most common peer pressure?Using Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco. As you might suspect, these are some of the top behaviors that your teen could be exposed to by a pressuring friend. ... . Stealing. In some cases, a teen might be encouraged by a friend to take an item without paying for it. ... . Bullying. ... . Sexual Activity. ... . Other Risky Behavior.. |