​​Taking a risk means doing something that could be dangerous or cause harm. Teens face many new risks as part of growing up. Choices about drugs and alcohol, driving, sex, and social media can be life changing.

You can help your teen practice taking smart risks and making smart decisions.

Why teens take risks

Research shows the brain is still developing until your mid-20s. The pleasure centre of a teen brain develops before the judgment centre. That’s why teens often:

• don’t see the risk in things they do
• don’t think about bad things that could happen
• make decisions based on how they feel instead of what they know

Risk-taking is important for your teen's development. You can let them try new things while helping them to understand how to stay safe.

Alcohol, cannabis and other drugs

Teens may use drugs or alcohol for many reasons, like wanting to fit in, how it makes them feel, or a way to escape problems.

Using alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs can lead to higher risks because they affect your teen's:

• coordination
• reaction time
• memory
• self-control
• ability to make safe choices

Using alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs can put your teen at higher risk of:

• injury
• death
• violence
• suicide
• sex without a condom or birth control
  

Risks can be higher if your teen is younger when they start to use substances or if they use them often. For example, because cannabis may change how your teen's brain develops, it can affect their learning, memory, and mental health for the rest of their life.

It's never too early to talk with your teen about the risks of using substances. These conversations can help you create a supportive relationship. If you think your teen might be using substances, talk with them and learn why. Then you and your teen can come up with ways to lower their risk and help them use less. You can also reach out to a healthcare provider if you're concerned about your teen's substance use.

Driving

Taking on new responsibilities like driving will help a teen gain independence.

You can lower some risks by:

• making sure that your teen gets safety training when learning to drive.
• remembering you are your teen's role model. Show them how you drive safely by limiting distractions such as cell phones and always wearing your seatbelt. 
• never driving while using alcohol or drugs. Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of death for young people in Canada, so it's important to talk with your teen about safe driving decisions.
  

Sex and relationships

Teens face many big decisions about sex and relationships. These decisions come with risks around pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Teens also need to understand consent: what it is and how to ask for and give ongoing consent.

Exploring their own gender and sexuality can affect how teens feel about themselves. Helping your youth feel good about themself can help them make choices that are right for them.

Talk with your teen about sexual health. Be an "askable adult" and talk to your teen about making safer decisions around sex. Tell them you can answer any questions they have and connect them to sexual health services in your community. 

Internet and social media

Teens use technology in many ways, such as texting, gaming, social networking, and online chatting. But they may not know about the risks.

Pictures and messages your teen thinks are private can be shared. AI can be used to change images so that they are fake. This can harm their self-image, mental health, and relationships.

Talk to your teen about cyberbullying and sexting (sharing sexual pictures, messages, or videos by smartphone). Tell them they can talk to you or another adult they trust if something they see or receive upsets them.

To report online sexual abuse or exploitation of children, go to cybertip.ca.

Guiding your teen to smarter risk-taking

Remember that even though it may not seem like it, teens need your support and guidance. Here are ways you can guide your teen as they develop: 

Talking to your teen about risk-taking

Talking to your teen often about everyday topics can help build open communication. Remember that every talk doesn’t have to be a “big talk”.

Here are some more tips to help you talk to your teen:

• Don’t lecture. Ask your teens what they think.
• Share your values, expectations, and concerns.
• Use news stories, video games, movies, and shows to start talking about hard topics like alcohol, drugs, and sex. Compare the risk-taking in these stories with what might happen in real life.
• Talk about the pros and cons of what your teen wants to do. Include choices so your teen can practice making decisions.
• Look for ways to make the activity safer. Would training or safety equipment help? A different time or place?
• Ask your teen why this activity is important to them. Is there something else they could do that's not as dangerous?
• Have some give and take. If you must say "no," tell your teen why.