Risky behaviors that teenagers are believed to

engage in to determine whether they take more

risks than adults
Early Adolescence
Independence is a predominant characteristic
of the early teen years
Becoming independent means being more
responsible for ones own self
Teens with friends engaged in risky behaviors
are more likely to imitate these behaviors;
equally, friends involved in constructive,
prosocial activities encourage healthy and safe
behaviors


Some questions
What are the dangers confronting
teenagers?
To what extent do teenagers engage in
risky behavior?
Why do they engage in risky behavior?
How do teenagers differ from adults in
this regard?
Teen Pregnancy
In 2011, a total of 329,797 babies were born to women aged 1519 years
drop of 8% from 2010















Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Ventura SJ. Births: Preliminary data for 2010. National Vital Statistics Reports. 2011 CDC website
Sexual Behaviors
By age 17, 50% of teens have engaged in
sexual intercourse
Consistent use of contraception is on the
increase

Smoking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=play
er_embedded&v=52rXcTVyPzI
Smoking
Today, more than 3.6 million middle
and high school students smoke
cigarettes
Nearly 9 out of 10 smokers start
smoking by age 18, and 99% start by
age 26
Why Young People Use Tobacco
Why Smoke?
SOCIAL INFLUENCE - they see tobacco use as a
normal behavior (friends or family members)
they are more likely to try themselves
PHYSICAL INFLUENCE - nicotine is just as
addictive as heroin and cocaine
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE - sensitive to
what they see and hear in the world around
them
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Teenagers have the highest motor vehicle fatality
rate of any age group
Fatal accidents involving teenagers


Deaths
Teen Drivers 3657
Passengers with teen driver 2384
Occupants of other vehicles 1979
Pestrians 648
TOTAL 8666
National Highway Safety Traffic Administration Crash Stats November 2004
Why more vulnerable?
Youth & age
Inadequate experience & training
Drinking and driving
Driving with someone who has been drinking
Not using seatbelts
Alcohol use
Cell phones & texting

The biggest risk factor for teenagers is
possession of a drivers license.


26% teens said theyve texted while driving
48% teens said theyve been passenger of a
texting driver

In fairness..
Teenage drivers take unnecessary risks.

So do we.

Teens take more risks than other drivers behind
the wheel but, mostly, when other teen
passengers are with them.