Teen Shopping Issues

Addictions

• If your teen can too easily spend her way through a month's allowance, lies about her purchases or has a serious case of buyer's remorse after the fact, she may suffer from a shopping addiction. In 2012, teen consumerism reached a whopping $208 billion, thanks, in part, to the growth of online sales, television ads aimed at teens and a teen's easy access to her parent's credit cards.

Theft

• Shoplifting is more a result of poor impulse control than it is a desire to own expensive possessions. According to the National Shoplifting Prevention Coalition, more than 70 percent of juvenile shoplifters interviewed had no plans to steal the items that led to their apprehension, rather the "rush" associated with the crime spurred them on. It may not seem like a big deal if your teen was recently fingered for copping a bottle of nail polish, but it may be a sign of things to come. More than half of the adult shoplifters interviewed in the survey admitted to beginning their criminal activities as teens.

Anxiety

• At the opposite end of the retail spectrum lies the teen who hates everything to do with shopping. She may avoid malls like the plague, suffer anxiety when forced to shop or prefer waiting in the car while the family indulges their spending passions. While it might be easier on the pocketbook to raise a teen with an aversion to spending, it can throw a big wrench into necessary outings, such as annual back-to-school shopping. Talk to your teen if she feels embarrassed or on display in public places. It might just be her personality, but it could be the beginning of a social anxiety disorder.

What Can You Do?

• While the teenage years are never easy, addiction, anxiety and shoplifting can all be signs that your teen is struggling beyond the norm. Talk with her in a positive way about your concerns. If you sense something more than normal teenage hormones is at play, consult a professional. Start with your child's doctor and ask for referrals to reputable mental health professionals and support groups. Accompany your teen to her appointments, and reassure her of your unconditional support.