Final answer:
The statement that young people engage in public and socially driven risk behaviors due to their image consciousness and participation in social comparison is true. Adolescents may exhibit riskier behaviors because they often value social rewards highly and are influenced by peer pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you're asking suggests that among young people, risk behaviors are often public and associated with their social lives. This statement is true as adolescents and young adults are typically more concerned with their image and how they are perceived by their peers.
One possible explanation for the heightened risk-taking among teens is their desire for social rewards and susceptibility to peer pressure. In the context of social media and digital connectivity, peer groups and social norms can have a powerful influence on young people's behavior.