Talk. They hear you is a national media campaign launched by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) aimed toward giving parents and caregivers support in starting the conversation with their children about the dangers of alcohol. SAMHSA provides resources such as the Talk. They Hear You (TTHY) role-playing app, action plans, fact sheets, and more, all of which helps parents and caregivers confidently and assertively talk to children about underage drinking.
When to Talk to Kids about Alcohol
According to SAMHSA, 9-15 are crucial ages in starting the discussion about drinking. At around age nine is usually when it occurs to children that alcohol may not be just for adults. By 15, those curious kids are already drinking. Studies support that young people who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to struggle with alcohol problems as adults versus those who don’t begin drinking until they’re 21 or older.
Prevalence and Risk of Underage Drinking
According to a national survey, in 2013, 8.7 million children between ages 12 to 20 reported consuming alcohol within the past month of the survey. Roughly 5.4 million of those youth were binge drinkers and 3.7 million were heavy drinkers. The earlier children start drinking, the more likely it is that they will become binge drinkers; binge drinking means consuming 4-5 alcoholic beverages in a two-hour period.
Hazards of Underage Drinking
When young people binge drink, they do lasting damage to their brains’ white and grey matter. This negatively influences spatial reasoning, attention, decision-making, impulse control, and other important cognitive functions. Brain damaging side effects can be life long. Additional dangers related to underage drinking include:
• Getting bad grades and other academic problems
• A greater likelihood of trying or abusing other drugs
• An increased chance of engaging in risky sexual activity that is unintended, unwanted, or unprotected
• Higher chance of suffering injury or death as a result of accidents
The risks increase the earlier drinking starts, which is why it is important to start talking to children early about underage drinking. Parents and caregivers are the most important and respected lines of defense in preventing underage drinking.
Resources to Help Parents Take Action
Many parents want to talk to their kids about drinking; however, they aren’t sure where to start the conversation, how to approach the topic in a way that will reach children, or what information is appropriate to share with children.
Tips for Talk to Kids about Underage Drinking
Set goals for talking to children about underage drinking. Five recommended goals are:
• Show you don’t approve of underage drinking; over 80% of children ages 10-18 report their parents are the main influence in whether or not they drink.
• Show your child that you care about their happiness and well-being. You’re on their side; let them know that your stance on drinking is because you want them to be happy and safe.
• Show your child that you know what you’re talking about when it comes to underage drinking. Establish yourself as a knowledgeable authority on the subject of alcohol by arming yourself with defensible facts and information. Your child will hear about alcohol from peer influencers as well; make sure they see you as one who they can turn to as a trustworthy source of information.
• Show you’re paying attention to your child because children most often try to drink when and if they think no one is watching.
• Give you children skills and tactics for avoiding the pressures of underage drinking. Peer pressure can compel kids who never want to take the first sip to drink, and it’s a slippery slope from there. Help your child build and practice skills.
Apps for Adults and Children
To help adults know what to say and for children to learn more about alcohol’s harmful effects, SAMHSA has created two apps. One is the Talk. They Hear You (TTHY) app, which is an interactive mobile application that uses avatars to help adults learn what to do and what not to do when it comes to talking to children about underage drinking.
The other is the Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain (AlcoholFX) app. This free app is science-based Reach Out Now mobile app for tablets that educates students ages 10-12 on how alcohol harms their developing brains.
Before your children download the AlcoholFX app, talk to them about the information it contains; doing so will help your children recognize you as an authority figure. Whatever you do, don’t wait to start the conversation with your children about how alcohol can harm them.
Engage with other proactive parents by using the #WeTalked hashtag to share the steps and story you’re taking to prevent underage drinking.
Underage drinking can have lasting effects, which is why it’s important for parents and caregivers to be able to help children resist peer pressure and to never drink in the first place. The Walton County Prevention Coalition (WCPC) is dedicated to supporting parents and children in talking openly and in making good choices when it comes to avoiding underage drinking. Visit the WCPC website for additional resources.