By Meghan Vivo

Ever feel like your teenager is just asking for trouble? That’s because they probably are, according to new research by British scientists.

During adolescence, kids who were once sweet and mild-mannered may start experimenting with drugs and alcohol, driving dangerously, having unprotected sex, smoking, spending too much time on the Internet, and engaging in other risky behaviors. They do so because their brains are programmed for thrill-seeking, researchers have found.

The study, which was published in the journal Cognitive Development, was based on 86 males between the ages of 9 and 35, who played video games and expressed their level of satisfaction with the results. Adolescents were particularly pleased when they took big risks and encountered a “lucky escape” situation. Fourteen-year-olds took the most risks.

Although many parents feel that their teen has poor judgment, the study suggested that most teens are skilled at weighing the pros and cons of their decisions – they just choose to take risks anyway. Adolescents are governed by their intense emotions, but haven’t yet developed the skills or cognitive control to manage those emotions.

What Are They Thinking?

Your teen may be unpredictable, but their brain development is actually quite predictable, thanks to modern science.

Studies have shown that teens take risks because the parts of the brain involved in decision-making, long-term planning and regulation of emotion don’t mature until early adulthood (around age 25), making them more vulnerable to peer pressure and impulsivity. When a teen is surrounded by their peers, risk-taking increases by as much as 50 percent.

But this doesn’t mean something is wrong with your teen’s brain. In fact, research by Jay N. Giedd, MD, of the National Institute of Mental Health, shows that the adolescent brain is highly adaptable and growing rapidly.

The Bright Side of Risk-Taking

All of this research suggests that educating your teen about the dangers of risky behaviors may not be enough. Even when they know the risks, they continue to make questionable decisions. Although the first step should be education, parents also need to monitor their teen’s behavior and provide structure, rules and consequences.

But risk-taking doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Taking risks can be a way for your teen to assert their independence and individuality. Their strong appetite for novel experiences and new adventures helps them understand themselves and the world around them.

Although you don’t want your teen taking unnecessary or dangerous risks, it is perfectly healthy for teens to take positive risks. By spending their time focusing on healthy risks, teens have less time to focus on negative risks like drugs, sex and illegal behavior. Taking risks is also a great way to learn how to deal with failure without giving up.

Research from Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Liberty Mutual Group indicates that young people who take positive risks are less likely to take negative ones. According to the study, teens who take healthy risks are more likely than those who avoid risk to:

• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Describe themselves as responsible, confident, successful and optimistic
• Report that they often feel happy
• Consider potential negative outcomes of destructive behaviors
• Consider whether or not they will get hurt
• Consider whether or not they will get caught
• Realize that they will be held accountable

A Positive Outlet at Summer Camp

Rather than fighting your teen’s natural predisposition for thrill-seeking, try channeling it into healthier outlets. Parents can encourage their teens to take positive risks in their daily lives by modeling appropriate social behaviors and encouraging their child to take advanced courses in school and get involved in extracurricular activities, clubs, community service projects and sports.

Another healthy outlet for fun and adventure is summer camp, which encourages teens to take physical, social and emotional risks that help them mature into young adulthood.

Physical
Summer camps, particularly wilderness camps, help teens challenge themselves, satisfying the need many young people have to test their own limits with activities like hiking, building a fire with a bow drill, or engaging in adventure activities like rock climbing or kayaking.

Wilderness camps specialize in steering teens toward activities that seem risky but are actually quite safe. Some camps have high and low ropes courses or offer adrenaline-pumping activities like white water rafting, which challenge teens to overcome their fears and assume a leadership role.

Social
Wilderness programs are full of social opportunities. Living with a group, teens practice social skills 24 hours a day and learn how to clear up misunderstandings, make a point respectfully, and provide constructive feedback and mentoring to others.

At summer camp, teens are free to explore and learn within the safety of a structured, supervised environment. Away from negative peer influences, they are immersed in a positive peer culture that promotes teamwork and communication.

Emotional
With support and guidance from staff, teens are able to open up and share their thoughts and feelings with their peers. Wilderness camps have the added benefit of offering individual, group and family therapy, which helps teens identify and manage their emotions and rebuild family relationships.

Camp counselors and staff make a big difference in teens’ lives. They offer encouragement and positive reinforcement to get teens out of their comfort zone and willing to face challenges. They serve as positive role models and help teens achieve small successes until they have the confidence to conquer bigger goals. Armed with independence, a stronger sense of self and confidence in their abilities, teens are able to combat peer pressure and stay true to their values.

Everything about your teen is changing before your eyes. Now, finally, someone can explain why – their brains are different from children and adults. They are capable of making good decisions, but are programmed to take risks.

Knowing this can help you understand your teen and how to best parent your child during this stage. In time, your teen’s judgment will improve and they will be able to handle the challenges life throws at them. Until then, direct your teen toward the kinds of risks that will make them stronger physically, socially and emotionally.