Young people are less likely to take risks if their parents know where they are when they are not at home, if parents understand them, and if they have helpful adults in their lives. Many young people would like to talk to their parents about the issues in their lives, but don't feel they can do so. Youth are influenced by their peers but the influences can be positive and negative. Young people want to build on the positive influences to help each other make healthy choices. Activities need too be suited to the interests of young people and they need to take an active role in making decisions about activities available to them in their communities.
Young people know that risky behaviours can have negative effects on their health.
This knowledge is not enough. It is actual health effects, rather than the fear of such effects, that seems to be what would stop youth from engaging in these risk factors. Specific information about health effects need to point out how they can be affected personally. Youth want more communication on issues affecting them in their lives but only if it is safe and respectful of their ability to make their own decisions. Having someone they can trust and feel comfortable with is important to young people.