Teens' brains prone to risky behavior, study shows

CBS Mornings

8 Mar 201703:01

Summary

TLDRNew research indicates that the peak of risk-taking behavior in teenagers occurs around 19, with the brain's control mechanisms maturing around 23 or 24. This study, involving over 5,000 adolescents from 11 countries, reveals a global trend in adolescent risk-taking, yet the levels vary significantly by context. For instance, only 2% of Indonesian teens reported drinking in the last 30 days. Parental guidance and legal reinforcement are key in managing teen risk-taking. Strategies such as setting curfews, discussing potential scenarios, and even using secret emoji codes for help, can help mitigate recklessness.

Takeaways

🧠 The adolescent brain is naturally inclined towards risk-taking behavior, peaking around the age of 19.
📈 The development of impulse control in teenagers continues to mature, reaching adult levels around 23 or 24 years old.
🌐 Risk-taking behaviors vary among teenagers globally, with only 2% of Indonesian teenagers reporting drinking in the last 30 days.
🔄 There is a mismatch between the peak of sensation-seeking and the full development of risk controls in the teenage brain.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents play a crucial role in guiding teenagers and can help mitigate risk-taking behaviors.
🚫 Reinforcing laws and regulations, such as driving curfews, can contribute to the safety of teenagers.
👀 Supervision is key as the presence of temptation and opportunity can lead to risky behaviors.
🤝 Planning in advance for potential risky situations can help teenagers navigate through them more safely.
🍔 The use of a secret emoji code between teenagers and parents can be an effective way to communicate for help without alerting peers.
🌡 Teenagers' reasoning abilities can differ significantly depending on the context, highlighting the importance of parental guidance.

Q & A

At what age does the thrill-seeking impulse typically peak according to the new research?
-The thrill-seeking impulse typically peaks at the age of 19, according to the new research.
What is the age when the brain's control systems are fully developed to an adult level?
-The brain's control systems, which act as brakes on risk-taking behavior, reach adult levels closer to 23 or 24 years old.
What is the normal behavior expected from teenagers during adolescence?
-It is normal and expectable for teenagers to seek independence and sensation, which includes risk-taking behavior, as part of their adolescence.
How does the context of where teenagers live affect their risk-taking behavior?
-Context matters significantly. For example, in Indonesia, only 2% of teenagers engaged in risk-taking behavior, such as drinking, within the last 30 days.
What role do parents play in managing teenage risk-taking behavior?
-Parents play a crucial role in managing teenage risk-taking behavior by reinforcing laws, supervising their children, and planning in advance for tricky situations.
What are some ways parents can help keep teenagers safe?
-Parents can reinforce laws like driving curfews, supervise their children, and plan with them in advance for situations where temptation and opportunity might coincide.
What is a practical strategy parents can use to help their teenagers navigate risky situations?
-Parents can plan in advance with their teenagers for tricky situations, such as having a plan for what to do if they unexpectedly find themselves in a risky environment like a party where everyone is drinking.
Why is it important for teenagers to not have to figure out how to handle risky situations on the fly?
-It is important because teenagers' reasoning abilities can be significantly different in high-pressure situations compared to when they are calm and at home, making advance planning crucial.
What is the concept of a 'secret emoji code' and how can it be used by teenagers?
-A 'secret emoji code' is an agreement between parents and teenagers where specific emojis are used to signal for help without alerting peers. For example, sending a hamburger emoji could mean 'come get me.'
How does the adolescent brain's development relate to their propensity for risk-taking?
-The adolescent brain is wired to seek sensation, which can lead to risk-taking behavior. However, the part of the brain responsible for controlling impulses is not fully developed until later, leading to a mismatch between the peak of sensation-seeking and the maturity of impulse control.
What does the research suggest about the universality of risk-taking behavior among teenagers worldwide?
-The research suggests that while all teenagers have brains prone to risk-taking, the level at which they take risks varies globally, indicating that cultural and contextual factors significantly influence behavior.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Teenage Brains and Risk-Taking Behavior

New research indicates that the peak age for risky behavior among teenagers is around 19, as confirmed by a study involving over 5,000 teenagers and young adults from 11 countries. The study suggests that while adolescent brains are generally prone to risk-taking, the propensity to act on these impulses varies. Psychologist Lisa d'amour, in her New York Times article, explains that the thrill-seeking impulse peaks at 19, but the brain's control systems don't mature until around 23 or 24, creating a mismatch. This mismatch is a normal part of adolescence, where teenagers are expected to seek independence and explore the world. The conversation also touches on how cultural context plays a significant role in risk-taking behavior, as seen in Indonesia where only 2% of teenagers engaged in risk-taking behavior, such as drinking, in the last 30 days. The importance of parental involvement and the influence of context on teenage behavior are highlighted.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Adolescence

Adolescence refers to the transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a time when teenagers are naturally inclined to seek independence and new experiences, which can sometimes lead to risk-taking behavior. The script mentions that adolescent brains are prone to risk-taking, which is a normal and expectable part of this developmental stage.

💡Risk-taking

Risk-taking is the act of engaging in behaviors that involve exposure to potential harm or danger. The video discusses how risk-taking is a common behavior among teenagers, with their brains being more inclined towards sensation-seeking. It is noted that the impulse for risk-taking peaks around the age of 19, but the cognitive controls to manage these impulses do not fully mature until later, around 23 or 24 years old.

💡Thrill-seeking

Thrill-seeking is the pursuit of exciting and novel experiences, often involving some level of risk. The script describes how the thrill-seeking impulse is particularly strong during adolescence, reaching its peak at the age of 19. This is a significant factor in the risk-taking behaviors observed in teenagers, as they are biologically driven to seek out new and stimulating experiences.

💡Psychological development

Psychological development encompasses the growth and changes in an individual's cognitive, emotional, and social abilities over time. The video script discusses how the psychological development of teenagers is characterized by a mismatch between the peaks in sensation-seeking and the maturation of impulse control, leading to a period of increased risk-taking.

💡Sensation-seeking

Sensation-seeking is the tendency to seek out experiences that are novel, varied, complex, and intense, often involving physical, social, legal, and financial risks. The script highlights that the teenage brain is 'wired' to seek sensation, which is a driving factor behind the risk-taking behaviors observed during adolescence.

💡Parenting

Parenting refers to the process of raising and guiding children, providing them with the necessary support, care, and discipline to help them grow into responsible adults. In the video, it is emphasized that parenting plays a crucial role in helping to mitigate the risk-taking behaviors of teenagers. Parents are advised to reinforce laws, supervise their children, and plan for tricky situations in advance.

💡Curfew laws

Curfew laws are regulations that restrict the movement of individuals, particularly young people, during certain hours of the night. The script mentions driving curfew laws as an example of how laws can help keep teenagers safe by limiting their exposure to potentially risky situations, such as driving late at night.

💡Context

Context refers to the circumstances or setting in which something occurs. The video script points out that while all teenagers have brains that are prone to risk-taking, the level at which they take risks can vary significantly depending on the context. For example, in Indonesia, only 2% of teenagers engaged in risk-taking behavior, such as drinking, within the last 30 days, indicating that cultural and environmental factors play a significant role.

💡Reasoning

Reasoning is the cognitive process of making sense of things or drawing conclusions based on logic and evidence. The script notes that teenage reasoning can be very different in different contexts, which can lead to discrepancies between what teenagers agree to at home and what they actually do in social situations. This highlights the importance of communication and planning with teenagers to help them navigate complex situations.

💡Secret emoji code

A secret emoji code is a covert communication method using emojis to convey messages. The video script describes how some teenagers and parents have developed a secret emoji code to signal for help in potentially risky situations without alerting their peers. For instance, sending a hamburger emoji could mean 'come get me,' allowing the teenager to communicate their need for assistance discreetly.

Highlights

New research indicates that risky behavior among teenagers peaks around the age of 19.

A study of over 5,000 teenagers and young adults from 11 countries confirms that adolescent brains are prone to risk-taking.

Psychologist Lisa d'amour explores the study in her New York Times online article, discussing ways to limit recklessness.

The thrill-seeking impulse reaches its peak at 19, but the cognitive controls mature around 23 or 24.

There is a mismatch between when sensation-seeking peaks and when the controls are fully developed.

Risk-taking is a normal and expectable part of adolescence.

Teenagers are biologically wired to seek sensation and independence.

Parents are naturally nervous about their teenagers' risk-taking behaviors.

In Indonesia, only 2% of kids engaged in risk-taking behavior have tried drinking in the last 30 days.

The new research shows that context matters in how teenagers take risks around the world.

Parenting plays a crucial role in managing teenagers' risk-taking behaviors.

Reinforcing laws that help keep teenagers safe, such as driving curfew laws, is important.

Supervising teenagers and planning for tricky situations can help prevent risky outcomes.

Having an advance plan with teenagers for unexpected situations is beneficial.

Teenage reasoning varies in different contexts, affecting their decision-making.

A secret emoji code between parents and teenagers can be an effective way to communicate for help.

The goal is to provide good advice and support to help teenagers navigate risky situations.