Is Your Teen Hanging Out With The Wrong Crowd? 7 Warning Signs To Look For
As a concerned parent, it's only natural to worry about your teenager's choices and associations. The influence of peers can play a significant role in shaping your child's behaviour, often leading to a parent's worst nightmare – their teenager falling into bad company. In this article, we'll explore seven unmistakable signs that may help you identify if your teenager has succumbed to negative influences, empowering you to take necessary actions to protect their future.
A New 'Friend':
Has your child been enamoured by a new friend lately? When teenagers start idolizing someone they ensure that their sole focus is on them. They insist on spending more time with this new friend, often out of your sight. They don't want you to meet this new addition in their life and are often quick to defend them against any criticism.
An Increase in Lies:
A telltale sign of bad company can be the frequent white lies that your kid has been telling you. They start evading responsibility and avoiding consequences. They start finding it difficult to maintain eye contact or explain their actions truthfully. They may even be quick to become defensive when called out on their lie.
Questionable Actions:
The use of foul language, name-calling, and defiance become apparent when your teenager starts hero-worshipping his bad company. Your child may intentionally harm others, disobey authority figures, and even pick fights. Often times all this may be done to impress his new bunch of friends.
Social Media Activity :
Has your child suddenly started consuming social media content leaning towards a violent or hostile side? This may be due to external influences shaping their behaviour in a certain way.
No More 'Moral' Activities:
A major red flag to look out for may be a reluctance to engage in activities that were once a source of moral values, like rituals or prayers and volunteering. An apparent disinterest in ethical lessons can be a big sign that your kid needs intervention.
Insulting Authority :
Your child begins challenging authority figures, becoming argumentative, and even bullying others as they assert their newfound sense of power. An increase in complaints from school or other classes should NOT be ignored!
Shunning Good Friends:
If your child has started distancing themselves from friends and activities that encourage positive behaviour like finishing homework on time, acing classes, engaging in social activities, it can be the telltale sign that is engaging in self-imposed isolation.
It's essential for parents to remain vigilant and observant of their teenager's behaviour , especially when they suspect their child may have fallen into bad company. By recognizing these seven signs, you can take proactive steps to guide and support your teenager, ultimately safeguarding their future from negative influences.