(ANN/THE STAR/DPA) – Many parents worry about how to keep teenagers away from smoking, drinking, and drug use, according to Matthias Jung, an author and “puberty coach.” He highlights that starting these discussions too late, when a child is already 15 or 16, can limit their effectiveness.
“By the age of 13, a ‘turbo-education’ approach no longer helps,” says Jung.
A recent study from the University of California, San Diego, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, underscores the importance of parental monitoring. Lead researcher William Pelham notes that many teens avoid drugs and alcohol because they know their behavior is being watched, countering the belief that experimentation is inevitable. “Parents can make a difference,” he says.
Fear as a short-term deterrent
While the study suggests that fear of being caught can deter substance use, Jung remains skeptical of fear as a sustainable tool. “It may help in the short term but doesn’t lead to personal insight for teenagers,” he observes.
Instead, Jung encourages starting open conversations about substance use and its consequences before puberty. Discussing real-life examples within the family may make these lessons more relatable and impactful.
Guidance, trust, and open communication
While teenagers may sometimes resist parental guidance, research by Kelly Tu from the University of Illinois reveals that parents’ advice still plays a significant role in adolescent lives. Her study, published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, found that even when fifth-graders seemed indifferent, conversations with their parents about school had a lasting positive impact.
Jung asserts that a trusting parent-child relationship is essential for open communication. “When a teenager feels comfortable calling their parents for help after making a mistake, that’s trust. It means you’ve done everything right.”
Risks of helicopter parenting
Jung also cautions against “helicopter parenting,” where parents are overly involved in their children’s lives. This approach can hinder a teenager’s ability to navigate challenges independently and may limit their risk-taking and creative growth later in life.
He emphasises that allowing teens the freedom to make mistakes is part of their development. “Every risky hairstyle or frustrating experience is part of their journey into adulthood,” Jung says. He notes that such independence can cultivate innovation, as seen in examples like Mark Zuckerberg’s creation of Facebook at a young age, which, he suggests, might have been stifled by overly protective parenting.
