What's your teenager up to this weekend?

It's natural for kids to go wild at weekends and for the older ones, it's a classic time to overindulge. If it's booze they're having too much of, it can lead to trying smoking, drugs or even sex for the first time. So, talk to them now before they hit those parties

The facts

 

• 40% of sexually active 13-14 year olds were drunk or stoned when they first had sex.
• In a recent survey by the charity, Parentline Plus, 20% of men and 13% of women aged 15-19 said alcohol was the main reason they'd had sex for the first time.
• Around 36 per cent of teenagers in Britain have tried illegal drugs like cannabis or ecstasy.
• NHS statistics show that one-fifth of secondary school pupils admit to regular drinking.
• Every day 15 children under the age of 16 are admitted to A&E because of alcohol abuse.
• 11-13 year-olds who drink regularly have more than 10 units of alcohol a week, compared to six in 2001.
• Older teenagers who drink regularly have an average of 11.4 units a week, that's about five and a half-pints. Half of those are binge drinking at least two days a week.

Read on for tips and hints on how to talk to your teens about drinking, drugs and underage sex.

- What's your teen up to? Talk to them
- What's your teen up to? Useful teen helplines

More help and advice

 

- Spot the signs of teen drug use
- Talking about sex
- Aerosol abuse and what to look for
- Could your child be drinking?
- 10 ways alcohol can affect your child
- Read one mum's story of when her teenage daughter got pregnant

By Julia Shaw