This means not glossing over the offense, but neither throwing the book at them. It is totally wrong to lock up teenagers and trow away the key. This is a sign that society has given up in attempting to redeem these youngsters, but God can, and he has redeemed people from gangs, and prision life. These face many temptations and the devil would like to destroy them. We must build moral walls of protection around our children, while also providing outlets for their energy.
Teenagers are immature and in a learning stage.
So it is important for parents to know who their friends are , and what activities are they involved in. Unless they have a strong moral base their friends could lead them into the wrong path, by using peer pressure. Another danger is the wicked, who prey on the young. These pretend to show motherly or fatherly love in order to earn their trust. We have an obligation to stop and put away wicked people who pray on the teenagers, and corrupt them, or take advantage of them.