Preventing underage drinking starts with early, open conversations and supportive relationships. Research shows that alcohol use during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of developing alcohol-related problems later in life, making prevention efforts especially important. Although young people generally drink less often than adults, those who do drink may consume larger amounts in a short period of time. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 3.3 million people ages 12 to 20—about 8.6%—reported binge drinking in the past month. Parents, caregivers, educators, and other trusted adults can make a difference by talking with young people about alcohol, setting clear expectations, and helping them understand both the short- and long-term effects of underage drinking. It’s never too early to start the conversation and give young people the facts and support they need to make healthy choices.

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Preventing youth vaping starts with education, open communication, and support. Vaping is not harmless—most vape products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing adolescent brain, including areas involved in attention, learning, mood, impulse control, and memory. Young people may be influenced by flavors, social media, peers, or vaping as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. Parents, caregivers, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations can help prevent youth vaping by talking openly with young people about the risks, addressing misinformation, encouraging healthy ways to manage stress, and creating supportive environments where youth can make healthy, informed choices.

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Online safety means helping children and teens understand how to protect themselves, their privacy, and their well-being in an increasingly digital world. Families and communities can promote safe and responsible technology use by talking with young people about artificial intelligence (AI), social media, smartphones, gaming, and internet safety, while teaching them how to recognize scams, manipulation, inappropriate content, and online exploitation. It is also important to address the risks of sexting and sextortion, including pressure to send or share intimate images, as well as cyberbullying and other harmful online behavior. Encouraging young people to use strong privacy settings, think carefully before sharing information or images, recognize trusted adults they can turn to, and report or block unsafe behavior can help create a safer online environment. Open, ongoing conversations and supportive relationships are key to helping youth make informed decisions and respond confidently when something online feels unsafe.

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