This has become a trend for teens to start smoking during early years, which then gets addicted. And these smokers become hooked to smoking as they grow adults. On the other hand, teens that could restrain from such a habit usually don’t take up smoking in life.

Previous studies have already specified that cigarette smoking lead to attention and memory shortfall is adults. However, new research comparing brain functions in teen smokers with the ones who do not smoke specified a disturbing correlation.

The study focused on the prefrontal cortex of brain, which guides in decision-making functions. This part of the brain remains in growing and developing stage in teens. The result of the study shows that the prefrontal cortex of teens gets less active with more addiction to nicotine. This shows that smoking can have an effect on functioning of the brain.

This test called the Stop-Signal Task (SST) activated the prefrontal cortex of the brain of these teens and required them to inhibit responding. The results of the tests found higher HSI among smokers. This means that those teens who smoke more has lesser activity in their prefrontal cortex. The study was performed on an equal number of teen smokers and non-smokers.

Alcohol and drugs are the biggest problems that today’s teenagers face. With easy access, teenagers are highly susceptible to falling prey to these problems. It is a natural thing for children to get drawn towards these things as this is the age where they go through a transition phase, stepping into adulthood. The sense of rebellion is the highest and the desire to break free maximum. There could be other reasons like family issues, stress etc that could lead teenagers to drugs and alcohol.

Parents need to be very careful while dealing with teenagers who have taken to drinking or drugs. They need to understand that these problems should be dealt with as soon as possible and if it means taking professional help, they should not refrain from doing so.

Parents also need to understand if there are any issues or problems that might have potentially pushed the kid towards drugs or alcoholic. The problem today is that even children have access to these products and it is hard for them to not get tempted to try them and eventually get addicted.

It is the responsibility of the parents to keep close eyes on their teenage children and ensure that they do not fall prey to such bad habits. The authority should also take measures to ensure that children do not get these products and anyone who provides them with it should be appropriately punished. Drinking is not only bad for health but it can also have serious repercussions in form of accidents, fights etc. 

The involvement of your teens in use of drugs, truancy and other such risk-taking behaviors may be indicative of the fact that your teen is facing negative peer pressure. These issues can be quite tricky for parents at times, however the key is to handle the situation properly and get your teen out of this phase.

Though it may seem a difficult task for the parents, they can take the help of some of these tips to get rid of the predicament. Parents should make it clear to their teens that they have no problems with their friend as long as they do not indulge in any risk taking behavior.

Regular talks with your teens about what you expect from them and their friends can certainly ensure greater comfort between you. Keeping in constant touch with the parents of your teens’ friends will also help you a great deal in handling the situation. You have to though take care that you don’t get yourself involved in any arguments on petty issues. Besides, you must ensure that you receive regular inputs from them about any unwanted or harmful behavior that your teen may get into.

Parents must have an action plan and should make their teens mould their behavior so that the objectives of the plan are met. Teens should be kept under supervision when they are with their friends and their privileges should be given back only when the parents feel comfortable. Parents must not overlook their child’s mistakes and should teach them to be accountable for their behavior.

Sex education is a very common aspect in the life of all teenagers. It encompasses information about aspects of one’s sexuality including family planning, reproduction and reproductive health. Sex education also involves education about emotional relations. It also informs the teens about the hazards of sexually transmitted infections and birth control methods. Teenagers, generally get sex education informally through parents or friends. Media, magazines and web sites are some other informal sources for sex educations among the teenagers.

There are different schools of thoughts, though on the time and extent of this knowledge that should be provided formally by schools and healthcare providers. However, its significance cannot be overlooked. Apart from avoiding sexual problems, sex education helps to avoid the spread of sexual infections. It helps to avert unwanted pregnancies, thereby stopping unnecessary abortions in teens.

A good knowledge about one’s sexual behavior reduces the peer pressure among the teens, which is very commonly seen now days. It frees the teenagers from associating sex with feelings of embarrassment and guilt and makes them realize that it is a common and a very normal aspect of lives of most adult people.

Although, parents are preferably the best people to provide sex education to their teens, there are chances that they may not be at ease with their own sexuality. Hence, schools seem to be the most effective way to impart sex education. For best results, it should be made a part of a broad educational program with special attention to moral and religious side of sexuality. Sex education should be gradually inculcated in the teens so that they view it as a normal phenomenon.

You think that your child will now be easy to handle as he or she has entered the teenage? You will no longer need to give him step to step advices on how to eat, how to play, how to study etc? Then, you are mistaken, there are many mistakes that parents make with teens thinking they can now take care of themselves. Read on to see what are the top five common mistakes parents make with their teens.

Many parents lecture and not discuss about issues with their teens and this grows distance between them. Teens don’t like someone always lecturing them for this or that, so remember to discuss as a friend and not lecture, as they already get lectures in their schools and colleges.

Another common mistake is that parents often set some unreasonable goals for their teens. Remember, that what you teen want to become is his or her wish, so don’t try to impose your own goals and wishes on him or her.

Teens simply hate their parents for punishing them when they break some rules. Like coming out bit late at night or not bunking school and a severe punishment for these rule breakings, make teens more rebellious.

Parents who don’t give quality time to their family create distances between themselves and their teenager kids. Spending some good time with teenage kids is a must for parents who have kids ageing between 13 to 19 years.

Never should parents leave the issue of educating their kids on someone else. This is the most common mistake made by parents of teenagers. Remember, none else will educate your kids better than you on issues like drugs, alcohol and other risky behaviors.