Grade 7-9

Common challenges:

• Increasing social pressure and curiosity
• Misconceptions about how common drinking is among peers
• Seeking independence and belonging

Quick tips:

• Talk often and stay calm: Make conversations about alcohol regular, not lectures.
• Discuss real-life scenarios: Ask how they might respond if offered a drink.
• Share facts, not fear: Explain risks honestly — like alcohol’s effect on memory, decision-making, and safety.
• Emphasize trust: Let them know they can call you anytime for help, no matter what.
• Model responsible use: If you drink, show moderation and talk about making safe choices.

How to respond:

• If they tell you others are drinking, say: “Thanks for telling me. It’s smart to think about this now — let’s talk about ways you can stay safe and confident in your choices.”

Signs to watch for:

• Mood swings or irritability
• Poor academic performance or loss of interest in activities
• Peer secrecy or online discussions about drinking
• Smell of alcohol or changes in appearance

Common challenges:

• Social anxiety and peer pressure
• Hormonal changes affecting mood
• Beginning of depressive or anxious thought patterns

Tips for parents:

• Normalize mental health discussions: Let them know everyone feels anxious or down sometimes.
• Help them identify triggers: Teach them to recognize what situations increase anxiety or sadness.
• Encourage problem-focused coping: Planning, time management, and relaxation techniques.
• Balance independence with support: Respect privacy while staying involved.

Signs to watch for:

• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Frequent irritability or anger
• Self-critical thoughts or comments

Common challenges:

• Heightened sensitivity to peer opinions
• Social media pressures increase
• Beginning dieting or unhealthy behaviors

Tips for parents:

• Keep communication open: Ask how they feel about their body and listen without judgment.
• Model body positivity: Avoid dieting talk or negative self-commentary.
• Encourage balanced media use: Discuss photo editing and unrealistic standards.
• Highlight abilities over appearance: Focus on sports, arts, and other skills.

Signs to watch for:

• Skipping meals or restrictive eating
• Expressing shame or embarrassment about appearance
• Withdrawal from social or physical activities

Common challenges:

• Academic struggles due to memory, attention, or processing speed
• Social challenges and self-consciousness
• Emotional difficulties: anxiety, depression, or frustration

Tips for parents:

• Collaborate with school staff: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans may be helpful.
• Encourage peer support: Help maintain friendships to support social development.
• Teach self-advocacy: Encourage them to communicate needs clearly to teachers and peers.
• Model stress management: Deep breathing, mindfulness, and pacing activities.

Signs to watch for:

• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Frequent complaints of headaches or fatigue
• Signs of anxiety or low mood

Common challenges:

• Peer pressure and social cliques intensify
• Increased risk of cyberbullying and rumor-spreading
• Low self-esteem and social anxiety may develop

Tips for parents:

• Validate feelings: Let them know it’s okay to feel hurt and that bullying is not their fault.
• Encourage seeking help: Talk to teachers, counselors, or trusted adults.
• Teach assertive strategies: Ignoring, walking away, or calmly reporting.
• Monitor social media: Stay involved while respecting privacy.

Signs to watch for:

• Withdrawal from friends or school
• Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or appearance
• Reluctance to use technology or extreme anxiety about online interactions

Common challenges:

• Exposure to online gambling sites, fantasy sports, or betting apps
• Peer pressure to join in for “fun” or social acceptance
• Belief that gambling is harmless or easy money

Quick tips:

• Explain how gambling works: The odds are always stacked against the player.
• Talk about consequences: Money loss, stress, and addiction can happen fast.
• Address online safety: Warn about fake sites and scams that target teens.
• Promote healthy outlets for excitement: Encourage hobbies, sports, or activities that provide a similar “rush” in a positive way.

How to respond:

• If they’ve tried gambling or show interest, stay calm. Ask: “What made it seem fun?” Then discuss how companies design games to make people spend more than they realize.

Common challenges:

• Exposure to peer pressure, stress, and online influence
• Experimentation may begin or be normalized in some groups

Tips for parents:

• Keep communication open and judgment-free: Ask what they’re seeing or hearing at school or online.
• Talk about risks of addiction: Explain how opioids and drugs change brain chemistry and decision-making.
• Model stress management: Talk about healthy ways to handle pressure (exercise, hobbies, talking to someone).
• Know their friends and social circles: Stay involved without prying.
• Be clear about boundaries: Explain family rules and consequences with empathy and consistency.

Signs to watch for:

• Changes in mood, grades, or motivation
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Secretive or defiant behavior

Common challenges:

• Increased awareness of family, peer, and societal changes
• Difficulty balancing emotions with school and social life

Tips for parents:

• Maintain open dialogue: Ask how they feel about changes and listen without judgment.
• Teach coping strategies: Journaling, physical activity, or talking to trusted adults.
• Encourage peer support: Friends can help buffer the stress of change.
• Model resilience: Show how you handle change calmly and positively.

Signs to watch for:

• Anxiety, irritability, or depression
• Avoidance of school or social events
• Risk-taking or negative coping behaviors

Common challenges:

• Increased peer pressure and social media influence
• Exposure to harmful content or risky online behaviors

Tips for parents:

• Keep communication open: Ask what apps they use and who they interact with.
• Talk about online identity: Discuss how social media can impact reputation and self-esteem.
• Set tech boundaries together: Help them learn self-control instead of relying on punishment.
• Monitor, don’t spy: Respect privacy while staying aware of online activity.

Signs to watch for:

• Secrecy about devices or accounts
• Sleep issues from late-night screen use
• Emotional distress linked to online posts or interactions

Common challenges:

• Navigating social hierarchies, cliques, and first crushes
• Handling peer pressure and identity exploration

Tips for parents:

• Encourage open conversations: Ask about friendships and dating without judgment.
• Discuss respect and consent: Physical, emotional, and digital boundaries.
• Support individuality: Let them choose friends who reflect their values.
• Teach emotional regulation: How to respond calmly during conflict.

Signs to watch for:

• Friendships that cause stress or self-doubt
• Secrecy about relationships or online interactions
• Drastic social withdrawal or changes in friend groups

Common challenges:

• Navigating puberty, crushes, and early dating
• Peer pressure around sexual activity
• Exposure to social media and online sexual content

Tips for parents:

• Continue conversations about consent and boundaries: Reinforce “no means no.”
• Discuss healthy relationships: Communication, respect, and trust.
• Provide guidance on online safety: Talk about sexting, privacy, and social media pressures.
• Encourage self-respect and decision-making: Empower them to make safe choices.

Signs to watch for:

• Secretive behavior about phones or social media
• Pressure from peers to engage in sexual activity
• Emotional distress related to relationships or body changes

Common challenges:

• Strong emotions, peer comparison, and identity struggles
• Increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts due to social and academic stress

Tips for parents:

• Talk directly and calmly about suicide: Asking does not cause harm—it shows care. “Sometimes people feel so sad they think about dying. Have you ever felt that way?”
• Validate feelings: Avoid minimizing (“You’ll be fine”)—instead say, “That sounds really hard. I’m here with you.”
• Monitor online activity and social circles: Look for signs of cyberbullying or isolation.
• Encourage connection: Family time, friends, and extracurriculars help them feel valued.

Warning signs to watch for:

• Talking or joking about suicide or death
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
• Decline in grades or sudden change in mood or energy
• Self-harm behaviors (cutting, burning, etc.)

Common challenges:

• Peer pressure and desire to fit in
• Exposure to vaping culture and online influence
• Stress or emotional struggles that may increase experimentation

Tips for parents:

• Maintain open communication: Ask directly about peer pressure or exposure.
• Teach refusal strategies: Practice saying “No” and walking away confidently.
• Discuss media literacy: Talk about marketing tactics for tobacco products.
• Encourage healthy coping: Suggest sports, hobbies, or relaxation instead of experimentation.

Signs to watch for:

• Use of vape pens or tobacco products
• Sudden change in friends or behaviors
• Secretive habits or hiding items

Common challenges:

• Social pressure, puberty, and stress from school
• Developing self-care and independence

Tips for parents:

• Support mental wellness: Encourage journaling, mindfulness, or talking about feelings.
• Model healthy lifestyle: Regular meals, physical activity, sleep, and hydration.
• Discuss stress management: Teach time management and coping strategies.
• Encourage social connections: Healthy friendships support emotional wellness.

Signs to watch for:

• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Poor sleep, nutrition, or physical activity
• Signs of anxiety, irritability, or mood changes