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Keeping kids safe at parties

You might worry about what your teen is exposed to when they go to parties. Here’s some ways you can minimise the risks.

Parents waving goodbye to daughter as she leaves to go out for the night

Parenting a teen can be stressful and you might be worried about their safety.

This is especially true if your teen is under 18 and attending parties without adult supervision.

As a parent, it can be hard to know what the best decision is for you and your family, especially if it's concerning your eldest child and you're figuring it out as you go.

Common risks at parties

You might worry your teen will be exposed to risks such as:

Drinking alcohol under the age of 18

Having non-alcoholic drinks spiked

Consuming illicit drugs

Smoking

Unsafe sex

Driving under the influence

Violence or aggressive behaviour

Illegal behaviour and Police involvement

"I found this a tricky issue but talking it through really helped. There is support available and people you can talk to."

- Liz, parent to an 18 year old

It’s challenging balancing your teen’s need for freedom and adventure while keeping them safe.

Don’t despair! There are ways to minimise the risks but still allow them some freedom to explore and experiment safely:

Make sure they have a way to contact you in case of an emergency

Arrange for a back-up contact person if needed

Talk to your teen about your concerns in a calm, low-key way

Find out where the party is, who is hosting, who may be attending

Give them information on how to handle potentially dangerous situations eg in an emergency they need to call 000

Give your teen information about the risks that accompany drug taking, under age drinking and unprotected sex

Other ways to help your teen stay safe at parties

You can encourage safe behaviours including:

Avoid accepting drinks from others
Avoid being alone with people they don’t know
Stay close to friends and people they trust

Parenting a teen can be hard but there’s always somebody you can talk to or something you can try

If you’re struggling with a parenting issue then call a Parentline service in your State or Territory.

This content was last reviewed 14/02/2018

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