Hard Talk Advice for Teenagers

Peer Pressure

• Most teens deal with peer pressure on a regular basis, so parents must engage their teens in conversations about their friends. Teenagers tend to be protective of their peers, so parents must tread lightly and refrain from saying something offensive. You might share your personal teenage experiences with peer pressure, or ask how your teen handles the pressure. Don't judge her friends or make her feel like she has bad taste in friends but encourage her to stand up for what she knows is right. Some behavior has severe consequences, so a hard talk about the seriousness of illegal or harmful activities could protect her from making big mistakes. Most importantly, let her know you are on her side and have her best interests in mind.

Sex

• Hard talk advice often centers on sex because it's a common temptation for teens. Some teens get defensive about sex, but parents can reduce some of the tension by controlling their emotions. By approaching the topic calmly and logically, your teen will feel less threatened by your remarks. Discuss the consequences of unprotected sex, such as sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Let your teen know that STDs are a leading cause of sterility, and having sex now can reduce his chances of having children later in life, recommends psychology professor at Temple University, Laurence Steinberg, as he writes on "Psychology Today." The only way for your teen to avoid STDs is to abstain from sexual intercourse or use condoms. Remind your teen that he should always respect females and treat them with kindness. Discuss the negatives of posting sexual images or sexual comments on social media sites or through text messages because they damage reputations and ruin relationships.

Drugs and Alcohol

• Even if you don't think your teen is interested in taking drugs or consuming alcohol, you need to have a hard talk about them. Teens often mix illegal drugs, prescription drugs and alcohol, resulting in toxic, often deadly combinations. Your teen needs to have made the decision that she won't participate before confronted with the situation. Otherwise, she might cave out of peer pressure or curiosity at the moment. Even though most substances are illegal for teens, conversations about drugs and alcohol are important because teens still have access to them.

Driving

• Parents must offer hard talk advice about responsibilities associated with driving. Even if your teen isn't old enough to drive, he will likely ride with older peers and isn't far away from getting his permit or license. You might discuss the consequences of texting and driving, drinking and driving and getting distracted in the car. For example, in 2011, 23 percent of all car crashes involved cell phones, according to the Texting and Driving Safety website. Driving is a privilege, so your teen must understand that if he breaks the law, dismisses curfew or ignores your rules for driving, he will lose his driving privileges.