3 Signs of Teen Trouble — And What To Do About Them

As a parent, it would be great if your child navigated their teenage years without causing you any trouble.  But if you can remember your own teenage years, you’ll know that that’s not always a realistic proposition. Being a teenager can be challenging, and they don’t always make the right decision — and in some cases, those decisions can have long-term implications. It’s important to remember, however, that there’s nearly always something that parents can do to steer their teenagers back in the right direction. 

In this post, we’ll outline a few signs of teen trouble, as well as offer some handy advice on what you can do if you find your child in those situations.

Risky Friend Groups

It’s easy to forget just how influential peer pressure can be when you’re a teenager. As an adult, you’ll be fine telling a person that you don’t want to do something, but when you’re a teenager? Standing up for yourself in that way risks social exclusion, and at that age, it’s simply too much to bear. Many teenagers go along with things that they don’t want to do just because they’re fearful of what happens if they don’t.

Good friends won’t put your child in those positions. They’ll like your son/daughter for who they are. Getting to know your child’s friends (such as by allowing them over to the house) can be a good way to ensure they’re right for your child. If they’re not, then talking to your child about what a good friendship looks like can be a good intervention strategy.

Trouble With the Law

A brush with the law is more common among teenagers than you might think. One study found that as many as 27% of youths had been arrested at least once by the time they were 18. 

No parent wants to learn that their child has been arrested, but it’s important to remember that a single incident doesn’t need to have long-term implications for your child’s future. The first priority should be to work with a criminal lawyer to ensure your child’s legal situation is dealt with correctly. Once that’s been handled, the next step is to make sure it never happens again. Speaking with your child, understanding what caused them to get into this position in the first place, and putting a plan for improvement in place can all help ensure it’s just a one-time thing. 

Excessive Time Online

If you grew up in the dial-up internet era, then you probably can’t imagine what the internet is like for the teenagers of today. And here’s the thing — their internet usage doesn’t even have to be particularly troubling for it to be a concern. They could be doing innocent activities online, but if they’re doing them for twelve hours a day, then it’s worth intervening. Studies have shown that teenagers with excessive screen time are at increased risk of anxiety and depression. Putting measures in place, like internet-free hours, can help to give your child balance. 

Note: This is a collaborative post