Key findings
The latest National Child Health Poll from The Royal Children’s Hospital investigated the level of concern that Australian parents have about peer pressure for their teens, as well as alcohol and substance use.
Key findings include:
- Peer pressure is a leading concern for parents when it comes to the health and wellbeing of their teens, with four in five (80%) expressing worries about peer pressure in general
- Over half (57%) of parents are concerned about peer pressure and alcohol or substance use for their teens
- While most parents have talked about alcohol and substance use with their teens, one in four parents have never discussed these issues
Poll report
The latest National Child Health Poll found that most Australian parents (80%) report being concerned about peer pressure for one or more of their teenage children, with 57% of parents ‘somewhat concerned’ and 23% ‘very concerned’. A majority of parents (57%) are specifically concerned about peer pressure and alcohol or substance use among teens. While peer relationships play an essential role in the development of children and young people, peer influence can also extend to risk-taking.
Download the report
Poll questions
The poll surveyed 923 parents in September 2023, who provided data on 1160 children aged between 13 and 17 years.
Download the questions
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Information for parents
