As summer approaches with parties and proms, it’s important to talk to your child about drinking and safety.

Underage drinking is considered a serious health issue, especially among teenagers. Approximately 44% of all high schoolers who binge drink consume 8 or more drinks in a row, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. For teens who are not yet fully developed, this can come with consequences to their health and safety.

Why is drinking alcohol a big deal?

Drinking alcohol can cause physical harm to your child, as drinking is associated with more risky behaviors. Alcohol impairs your teen’s ability to drive or make safe decisions. Sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies, car accidents, and injuries are just a few of the consequences of underage drinking.

Effects of teen drinking

Kids who have issues drinking are more likely to do poorly in school, skip class, and develop poor coping strategies. Drinking can cause problems with memory and slower brain and body development. Underage alcohol use can also put kids at risk for substance problems later on in life.

Talking about substance use and safety

Kids are likely to be open to talking about alcohol use with their parents. Talk to your child about safe sex, driving sober or calling for a ride if under the influence, and ways to avoid peer pressure when it comes to binge drinking. Research shows that parents are the most influential reason kids abstain from drinking.

Tips for talking to your teen about drinking:

Have an open, non-judgemental attitude. Instead of condemning drinking altogether, ask open-ended questions about substance use. Do their friends use alcohol? How do they feel about adults who drink?
Listen more than you talk. It is helpful to share your own stories about drinking to help your child open up. Then, be interested in what they have to say.
Normalize non-drinking/non-substance use. Talk about how having fun at parties with non-alcoholic drinks is possible (and probable)!
Offer to pick up your child from parties or when they are under the influence, no questions asked. Facilitating a standard where you emphasize their safety comes first is a great way to keep the conversation open and encourage healthy, safe decisions in the heat of the moment. For example, if your child is in a situation where the kids they are with are drinking, let them know to call you. You can discuss the situation the next day when everyone is rested and sober.

Talk to your child about effective coping strategies for dealing with stress. Peer pressure, stress, and mental health issues can influence teen drinking habits. Discussing helpful ways to deal with triggers and stressful life events can help your child avoid risky behaviors. Don’t stop the conversation after your child goes off to college. Keep the line of communication open in a non-judgmental and loving way.

Risk factors for underage drinking

Some factors increase your child’s risk for using substances or binge drinking.

BIPOC kids are more likely to experience racism and discrimination, leading to stress that can increase their risk for underage drinking.
Kids who are LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse are twice as likely to be bullied, which can increase their risk for underage drinking.
Girls are more likely to drink than boys.

You can reach out to your pediatrician to discuss how to set boundaries and maintain a positive dialogue with your child about substance use and alcohol use. They may be able to give perspective, advice, and information if you are worried about your child’s drinking or want support when talking to your teen about substance use.

Resources:

This article was written by Katie Taibl, BSN, RN, CPN. Katie is a pediatric nurse and clinical freelance writer with over nine years of experience in acute and primary care settings. As the Patient and Family Outreach Educator at Roslindale Pediatric Associates, she helps parents and patients access actionable, user-friendly health content.