Teenagers are people between the age of 13 to 19. At this age, they have reached the adolescent age and a lot of them are pushed by peer pressure and youthful enthusiasm. They feel they have or need to explore well. They like to make their choices and feel they need freedom because they are old enough. Parents should be closer to their children and monitor them to mold them in the right way and also assist them in prayers as they can’t always be with them physically.
Here are the harmful things teenagers do that they ought not to do:
1. Social Media
Teenagers love to be on social media always. They should be educated on how social media works since it’s part of how teens connect in the 21st If we disallow them from using it then probably, they will use it without the parent or guidance’s consent, and thereby exposing them to more dangers from strangers they meet online. All we need to do is educate them on how social media works and teach them the process of using the social media that can make and ruin them and also how it can help them with their studies.
2. Sex
It is good to help them avoid sexual activity to prevent the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Parents should explain to them that birth control (abstinence) alone can protect them from the perils of sex and that waiting can spare them undue stress of heartbreak which might lead to depression. It is good to give them sex education as well to encourage them to wait and always communicate with them if they have a partner.
3. Being Secretive
Most teenagers like to have their privacy, but it won’t allow parents to guide them as they ought to if they don’t open up. Parents should, therefore, hang out with them and never say no to them, and they should also be attentive to their teens. So, a problem might be spotted early before it’s too late and guide them on the right part to take. You can also discern what’s going on with them.
4. Alcohol and Smoking
Alcohol increases a teen’s risk of death or injury in a car crash or accident and these might have a lot of negative effects on the teen. Most parents feel drinking is normal for teenagers but it should be discouraged amongst teenagers. The legal drinking age is 21 years of age. Smoking in the same vein is bad for teenagers and everybody because smokers are short-lived and as such, it shouldn’t be encouraged for teenagers. There’s no legal age for smoking as the Ministry of Health warns that they are liable to die young.
5. Sending Inappropriate Messages
Most teenagers send nude images or post nude pictures and videos online. And having a sex chat should be discouraged for teens, it is advisable to make them know that they can’t control who sees their content and it goes a long way on the internet and can be used against them later in the future.
6. Drug Abuse
Taking the unprescribed drug is harmful to the health. Adolescents often experiment by taking different substances from a shady dealer. Parents should dispose of unused and expired drugs and keep tabs on the medications available. Some use the drugs as a study aid when they want to read to prevent them or sleeping or drugs that will make them read more. It’s not a good idea as there are side effects with these drugs. It can cause health issues and insomnia. Energy drinks that contain alcohol are dangerous too.
7. Chatting while driving
It is a real risk taken by a lot of adolescents and people generally, they might be injured or even killed in an auto accident. It is good to safeguard teens and tell them to stay within a safe boundary while driving. As a parent, it is good to abide by the driving rule so when you tell them to do it, it won’t be strange to them.
8. Plastic Surgery
They should be left to grow and not be in haste to alter their physical appearance. As a teen, you shouldn’t be subjected to pressure from peer group as regard your stature which you can always work on through exercising.
These are the 8 harmful things that teens love to engage in that they ought not to do. I believe this information will help you to know how to keep safe and avoid these harmful activities if you are a teen and how to monitor your teens if you are not.
