ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — They’re on the honor roll, star athletes, just plain good kids… but even the best teens can make one bad choice that changes everything. Peer pressure, impulsive decisions, or a need to fit in can lead to consequences that alter their futures or even cost them their lives. What drives these choices, and how can we help teens before it’s too late?
Teens — not considering the consequences, making spur of the moment — life changing — choices.
“He had gone into my safe and taken a handgun back up to his room and taken his own life,” said Brian Montgomery.
After a family dinner, 16-year-old Walker went to his room and started texting with someone posing as a teenage girl. But that innocent flirtation turned into sending nude photos, then:
“They were just trying to build that tension to get Walker to pay. They wanted a thousand dollars,” explained Brian.
Walker’s tragic choice highlights the risks teens face as their brains develop. The prefrontal cortex, which controls decision-making, isn’t fully mature until their mid-20s. This makes teens more impulsive, chasing instant rewards over long-term consequences.
“What we learned is, and what’s important for a parent to hear is how quickly this can happen and how unexpected,” Brian told Ivanhoe.
To help minimize the risks teens take, experts say parents can set clear rules and consequences, turn mistakes into learning moments, encourage ownership of decisions, including facing consequences, and maintain open communication, discussing daily experiences and challenges. These steps can guide teens toward better decision-making and accountability.
“Our job is to protect our kids and to raise kids that understand when you’re stepping off into a dangerous spot, come back,” said Brian.
Mistakes and poor decisions are valuable learning opportunities for teenagers. Parents who stay calm can transform these moments into meaningful discussions. Instead of concentrating on their teen’s perceived inability to make better choices, parents can explain the risks associated with certain behaviors. It’s best to avoid asking “Why,” as teens often don’t understand the reasons behind their actions. Instead, parents should ask, “What have you learned, and what will you do differently next time?”
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Chuck Bennethum, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know
https://www.inspirebalance.com/when-good-teens-make-bad-choices/
https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/throwing-it-all-away-when-good-kids-make-bad-choices/
* For More Information, Contact: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
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