How does peer pressure affect teenagers?

Learn how peer pressure affects teenagers' social development in positive and negative ways from Gurinder Dabhia, MD, a Scripps Health pediatrician. read more

While it can be hard for teens to resist peer influence sometimes, especially in the heat of the moment, it can also have a positive effect. Just as people can influence others to make negative choices, they can also influence them to make positive ones. read more

If a teen lacks self confidence then he is most likely to interpret social situations in a negative way that matches his beliefs about his own self worth. read more

In basic terms, peer pressure involves choosing to do anything that you would typically not do only because your peers make you feel like you will not fit in unless you do it. This means that teens do things that can be harmful or risky out of fear of not being accepted by their peers. Peer pressure is typically a negative influence, but it is possible for peer pressure to be positive. It just depends on what the activity is that the teens are engaging in due to peer pressure. read more

Peer pressure or influence can be positive. For example, your child might be influenced to become more assertive, try new activities, or to get more involved with school. But it can be negative too. Some teenagers might choose to try things they normally wouldn’t be interested in, such as smoking or taking part in antisocial behaviour. read more