by Breslyn Dozal

“Everyone is doing it, nothing bad will happen.”

Seven out of ten teens often feel peer pressured. Peer pressure can vary from drugs, trying different trends (ex: clothing styles) to being pressured into sexual actions. Peer pressure affects teens in different ways, causing them to act out or look different at certain situations.

Peer pressure is when teens feel pushed by friends to do things they might not want to do. It can impact our choices and how they behave. About 90% of teens experience peer pressure. Some teens experience it worse than others. Depending on the situation it can cause serious consequences.

The biggest cause of peer pressure is the desire for social acceptance and belonging. This might be doing pranks for social media or doing what your friends tell you to do to fit in. Most kids experience peer pressure around the age 12, and it continues on from then. Peer pressure affects kids more from the age 13-15. The older we get, the more we understand peer pressure and the more we know how to act in certain circumstances.

There are plenty of ways to avoid peer pressure; knowing which way is best is the challenge. 

I asked teens how to avoid it, and here are some of their answers:

“I would avoid them by telling them that I wouldn’t do it, ‘nah,’ ‘nah,’ I’m good,” said sophomore Marcus Baker.

“I would just walk away,” said freshman Jaxon Maranto.

“I would tell a trusted adult, or decline kindly so the situation doesn’t escalate,” said college sophomore Santana Dozal. 

Peer pressure can take a toll on mental health. Failing classes, not wanting to do social activities, and being distant can be some of the side effects to peer pressure. Most teens feel helpless and don’t know what to do. Some of us think we have no one to talk to, but there are many resources.

Peer pressure will always be an obstacle in our lives. But it can always be avoided. 

“That’s okay, I think I’m gonna sit this one out.”