Zalamar also points to social media playing a role in what kids perceive as “cool,” which can lead them toward doing things they’d rather not do. School life can be difficult to navigate, so we’ve put together lots of tips and advice to help make things easier for you. Bullying can take many forms – physical, online, emotional, spreading rumours – and should never be tolerated in any school. If you feel bullied, you see someone being bullied, or even if you’ve been less than kind to others, talk to a member of staff or trusted adult and get things sorted. In answering these questions, students can write short ‘success’ stories about how they would resist such negative peer pressure. Changing hormones, developing brains and emerging identities makes the start of adolescence a particularly vulnerable time, where peer pressure is most influential.
Behavioral Addiction
In this activity, students reflect on their understanding of ‘failure’, and on the importance of mindset in learning from mistakes. As you go through school, it’s important to consider which behaviours match your values, and stand your ground if you feel pressurised to behave differently. Being true to yourself means sticking up for what you how to deal with peer pressure believe in. If you feel you need help with navigating situations like these, make sure you get some support. Rising above peer pressure means not giving in to the pull of others to act in a certain way. No matter your age, you can practice not giving in to negative peer pressure and work on surrounding yourself with more positive influences.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
Whether it’s a peer issue on the playground or final exam prep, when one trigger is removed another one might crop up. They are also typically striving for social acceptance and are more willing to engage in behaviors against their better judgment to be accepted. Expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable and supportive school environment. Decide in advance what you’re comfortable with and what crosses the line for you. Communicate your boundaries to your friends and peers so they know where you stand. Before I share with you at least 9 ways of handling peer pressure as a student, let’s first understand what peer pressure means.
- As your child starts moving away from the parent–child relationship and seeking their own independence and identity, their peers will become more important to them.
- One common social media misrepresentation is when people post the “best” of their lives, creating a false sense of reality.
- You deserve to surround yourself with supportive people who respect your decisions—not people who pressure you into doing something that doesn’t feel right.
- This involvement can lead to exposure to role models and eventually lead to the teens becoming positive role models themselves.
How to Stage an Intervention for Your Teen
This excuse “suggests a busy schedule and personal commitments as the reason for refusal. This way of dealing with peer pressure works best if someone wants your child to attend an event like a party, a sleepover, etc., that they’d rather skip,” explains Dr. Woo. Whether being pressured to drink, smoke, or do something else that feels like a bad idea, this response doesn’t just shut down the activity but also opens an opportunity to engage in healthier behaviors.
Helping Your Child Deal with Peer Pressure
According to child and adolescent psychiatrist Akeem Marsh, MD, “it’s very easy to be influenced by peer pressure as we humans are wired as social creatures.” Your child wants to fit in, doesn’t want to feel rejected or teased, and isn’t sure how to get out of a bad situation. When they are in preschool, tell them not to copy silly or bad behavior.
What are the effects of social media on peer pressure?
Sometimes, sources of stress can be obvious to both students and parents. In turn, your friend might reconsider criticizing people based on their appearance. By simply adhering to your own values and sharing them with a friend, you can positively peer pressure them to think before making a negative comment.
As a parent, you can help your child deal with peer pressure and make good choices at every age and stage. The journey of helping students handle peer pressure is ongoing and multifaceted. It requires a holistic approach that combines education, communication, and societal change. In the case of teens, parents are rarely concerned about the peer pressure their kids may face to engage in sports or exercise, as these are typically seen as healthy social behaviors.
We tend to hear more about the potentially negative effects of peer pressure. For instance, two friends might put positive pressure on each other to go to the gym together and stay accountable for their fitness goals. Though peer pressure is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying, peer pressure can have positive effects in some cases. Seeking support from trusted adults is like having a safety net when facing peer pressure, ensuring you’re not alone in making choices. Having self-esteem and confidence can make it easier to say “no” to negative peer pressure because you believe in yourself and your choices.
