It’s healthy for teens to make the most of their summer break by making plans with friends, spending time on their favorite hobbies, and having exciting new experiences. 

Most will have fewer responsibilities and more unsupervised time with peers, which may lead to more opportunities to engage in potentially harmful behaviors. These can include things like substance use, unprotected sex and socializing with people who may be a bad influence. 

Teens may also engage in other forms of risky behavior. They might attempt dangerous maneuvers in sports or make choices that go against their usual beliefs or moral compass, such as lying to you or giving in to peer pressure. Those who are feeling isolated or struggling with their mental health may be especially vulnerable. 

Part of the reason teens often seek out risky behaviors is that they’re exciting, and there’s usually a potential reward or benefit. Not all risky behaviors are dangerous, however. 

You can help your teen challenge themself and feel more independent without putting themself in danger. Do this by finding ways for them to engage in healthy risk-taking. For instance, you might help your teen appreciate the risks involved in trying a new sport, asking for help, or asking someone out on a date. 

In this article, we’ll share six things parents can do to help their teens navigate risks and stay safe over the summer.

6 things parents can do to help teens avoid high-risk behaviors over the summer

It might help you to put your own experience and perspective aside and try to connect with where your teen is in their development. In general, the human brain is more susceptible to risk-taking during the adolescent and teen developmental stages. 

The limbic system is sensitive to rewards such as social approval. Inhibition or impulse control is a function of the prefrontal cortex, which is still developing. In other words, teens are more wired to make decisions based on their emotions rather than reasoning derived from experience. 

They’re not as aware of potential consequences as adults are, and that’s not necessarily their fault. The experiences your teen has today will form the “voice of reason” they’ll rely on when they’re older.

There’s a lot of variation between individuals, of course. A teen’s thought processes and attitudes can also change very quickly. Having regular conversations with your child and helping them assess situations in an unbiased manner is the best way to prepare them to take healthy risks.

The following are six things you can do to help your teen navigate risks and stay safe over the summer:

• Understand the developing teenage brain 

When you understand what your teen is experiencing and why they think the way they do, you can be compassionate while challenging them to learn and grow. Risk assessment and decision-making are things we learn by experience when our brains are ready. 

Take time to learn about the adolescent and teenage phases of brain development. This can help you match your parenting with your teen’s level of awareness and responsibility.

• Increase supervision without becoming controlling 

Maintain a healthy and supportive presence in your child’s life by balancing trust with appropriate supervision. Adjust monitoring strategies as your teen grows more mature and independent. 

You might use new experiences, like going on a trip with a friend’s family, to talk about personal safety and create new norms for checking in. Learn about technology tools like parental controls that you can use to keep your teen safe without invading their privacy.

• Create structured opportunities for healthy risk-taking 

Use your teen’s activities and interests to help them weigh potential risks and rewards in a positive context. Whether your teen is into adventure sports, creative challenges, or volunteer work, you can use everyday situations to break down their goals, potential dangers, unknown factors, and ways to make balanced choices.

• Address underlying mental health concerns 

Certain risky behaviors can be a form of self-medication as they may release chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and adrenaline. Often, they’re connected to underlying anxiety or depression. According to research, drug and alcohol use often starts in the teen years. 

If your teen starts showing anxiety or depression symptoms along with risky behaviors, open up a conversation and tell them about your concerns without judgment. When treatment is needed, help them learn about their options.

• Strengthen family communication and connection 

Keep lines of communication open by showing interest in your teen’s summer plans and their friend groups. Make sure you talk about peer pressure and how to make decisions in social situations. 

Remember to practice active listening by repeating what they said to show you understand — without adding in your opinions or a judgmental tone. These conversations will show your teen they can confide in you without any fear of a harsh reaction.

• Know when to seek immediate help 

Self-harm, suicidal behaviors, carrying weapons, and using substances are all high-risk behaviors that can have immediate and serious consequences. If you suspect your child may be experimenting with anything dangerous, getting them professional help may be crucial for their safety and well-being. Familiarize yourself with emergency resources and mental health treatment programs. 

Call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, if your teen needs immediate support.

Talk with your teen about healthy and unhealthy risk-taking

Helping teens navigate risk-taking phases and learn life lessons is complicated. Each young person needs different kinds of support at different times. You can strike a balance between protecting your child and giving them space to have the formative experiences that will set them up for mental well-being in adulthood. 

Talk with your teen about challenging themself with healthy risks and assessing potential dangers before trying something new. Peer pressure is often a factor, so teens usually need help to develop their personal values and boundaries. 

In Lightfully Teen programs, we help young people learn to assess risks and care for themselves proactively. In some cases, we help them recover from risk-taking behaviors that have become habit or low self-worth that can come as a result. 

We use a unique approach called Precision Care Model (PCM) to give each teen the support they need. Instead of targeting specific symptoms, we help people manage four core life processes: their thoughts, emotions, behaviors and relationships. 

Are you looking for ways to help a teen in your life who’s starting to take unhealthy risks? We can help. Contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today.