Keeping Your Teen Safe When Away From Home

‘Do I leave my teen alone at home or not?’ It’s a dilemma for every parent but sometimes there’s no other choice. In today’s society, even the home may not be a safe place for a teen.  

Alcohol and drug use
Drugs and alcohol can easily be hidden at home, in a place overlooked by adults. An empty home offers enough freedom for a teen to experiment with the latest ‘trend’.

Some parents think that if the teens are allowed to drink in a controlled setting (like at home), they’ll be less prone to experimenting and putting themselves at risk. Experts warn against this. The teen will think that drinking is ok, as long as you   control. But at that age, overdoing comes easy! You might find your teen stoned when you return home one day.

Talk to your kids about the problems associated with drinking. Pay attention to their behavior when you are at home and when you are not. Call them and ask them how they are doing. If they seem to be having a drinking or drug problem, don’t hesitate to contact a help centre or a counselor.

If you are out for a considerable time, (more than a day) don’t forget to impose the ‘no friends over’ rule. Peer pressure is a primary factor influencing teens to drink and take drugs. So your teen will be better off at home, alone.

Teens and Driving
The daily death toll of teens in automobile accidents in the USA comes to more than 10. Kids who reach 16 can get their driver’s license and they want to drive immediately. Some parents feel that they should gift a car to their teen because he/she can drive. That’s a bad idea. The brain only develops its impulse controlling areas around the age of 25. So how can a 16 year old know what to do in the case of an emergency? By buying a car for your teen, you are immediately giving him/her license to roam when you are not at home.

Tell your kid that he/she is not ready to drive, even at the age of 16-18. Show him/her footage of road accidents involving teens, so that the point will be driven home. Forbid your kid to drive your car when you are out.

Online safety
Hiding your child from paedophiles and other sex predators is next to impossible thanks to online social networking. Sites like MySpace and Facebook have already reported offenders. Most teens are not aware that they post public profiles enabling anyone (including those not on the specific network) to view them. This is where parents must step in. First, you need to arm yourself with some knowledge about such sites so that your teen knows you mean business.

Whatever you do, don’t ban the internet or disconnect your home line, because there’ll be a show of defiance. Instead, google your child’s name and details and see whether he/she is misusing the internet. If you come up with blogs and profiles giving private information, deal with it right away. Filtering software blocks ‘adult’ sites and monitoring software tracks your teen’s online movements in your absence by recording keystrokes. Install these tools into your home PC, so you are aware of any risks.