Teenagers need to investigate and be knowledgeable about risky behaviour as this helps them understand the consequences of their decisions and hopefully help them make better choices.
Risk behaviour or risky behaviour is simply behaviour that runs the risk of the person and/or those around them being hurt or damaged physically, socially or emotionally. Teenagers investigating it? It depends on what you mean by 'investigating'. Investigating does not have to mean trying it out.
It’s natural for teenagers to want new experiences.
This is because teenagers need to explore their own limits and abilities, as well as the boundaries you set. Some young people really love the ‘rush’ of thrills, risks and adventure. And most teenagers want to express strong personal values and a sense of themselves as individuals.
It’s all part of their path to accepting responsibility, forming identities and becoming independent young adults.
Also, teenagers are sometimes more likely than adults to make quick decisions without thinking through the consequences. This is because the parts of the teenage brain that handle planning and impulse control don’t completely mature until about age 25.
Teenagers might understand risk differently from adults too. This means they don’t see any real danger in what they’re doing.
And sometimes teenagers do potentially risky things to feel a sense of belonging to a group. They want to perform, impress, show off or do what they think is ‘normal’ for their group.
Common risky behaviour
Risky behaviour might include:
unprotected sexual activity
sexting and other risky uses of social media
tobacco smoking and alcohol use including binge-drinking
illegal substance use
dangerous driving
illegal activities like trespassing or vandalism
fighting
truancy.