
Safe and Sober Parents: National Teen Driver Safety Week
This week - and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Watch Video“I did [insert risky activity here], and I turned out fine!”
Chances are you’ve heard some variation of this phrase before, said by someone in reference to a dangerous situation they’ve gone through. They believe that because they went through a situation and survived it, anyone can. This assumption is based on survivorship bias, which is the error of judging only the survivors of a situation and forgetting about the unseen non-survivors.
Survivorship Bias
Perhaps the most famous example of survivorship bias is from World War II. In an effort to reduce the number of planes lost in the war, US researchers analyzed the damage on the planes that made it back and decided they should reinforce the most damaged areas. However, statistician Abraham Wald stepped in and pointed out their flaw: they were not accounting for the planes that didn’t make it back. It could be assumed that those planes were hit somewhere else and were not able to handle that damage. Therefore, the planes that came back gave a representation of the places that could withstand damage and did not need extra reinforcement. In completely disregarding the planes that didn’t come back and only looking at the surviving planes, the researchers demonstrated survivorship bias.
Another example of survivorship bias is the attitude towards dropping out of college, and how it supposedly plays a role in achieving unrealistic success. Think about the famous success stories of college dropouts that went on to become millionaires -- Bill Gates, Oprah, Steven Spielberg, Steve Jobs. Lots of people selectively use those examples as a rationale that people who drop out of college are ultimately more successful than people who do not. This faulty argument focuses solely on the few big success stories while ignoring the millions of students who drop out of college and do not achieve outlandish accomplishments, or even mediocre successes.
Survivorship bias often comes up in the discussion of underage drinking and substance misuse. Parents who grew up drinking or doing drugs give their experience as a reason that their kids can do the same: “I drank in high school, and I didn’t get hurt!” However, this argument completely ignores all the kids who misuse substances and go on to experience negative consequences. It is based entirely on personal experience, which is not credible across populations.
This attitude towards illicit substance use - flawed by survivorship bias - causes many parents to relax rules towards alcohol for their children, both in and away from the home.
Underage Alcohol Consumption & Parental Influence
Underage drinking has countless negative effects. Every year, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, around 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related causes. Besides death, other effects of underage drinking include:
Parents sometimes underestimate their influence on the decisions of their children. When parents have a relaxed attitude toward underage drinking, their children are more likely to drink. This sets them up to fall into substance misuse habits early on and suffer the consequences that come with them. The number of parents letting their children drink is growing. Click here to read about the rising number of parents letting their children drink at home and how it is affecting the children.
On the other hand, when parents do not allow their children to drink and make the rules clear, children are more likely to follow. In a survey conducted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), it was found that “Teens whose parents told them underage drinking is completely unacceptable are 80 percent less likely to drink, compared with those whose parents give their teens other messages about drinking.”
Parents have a huge influence on their teens. Whether parents’ influence is positive or negative is up to them.
What can you do?
Anyone who says something like “I did it, and I turned out fine” is disregarding a whole group of people who did not turn out fine. Parents, teachers, and any adults who have an influence on a young person’s life need to remember that their experience does not apply to everyone’s experience. Just because someone has had experience with substance misuse and survived it does not mean that it is not dangerous to anyone else. Some steps to help your child avoid substance misuse include:
You want the best for your teens. Keep them safe from substance misuse by acknowledging its dangers and fighting to prevent their involvement.
This week - and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Watch VideoDuring October, we celebrate all the possibilities that prevention brings! Together, we’re partners in prevention.
Read ArticleOur youth are uniquely vulnerable to potent marijuana and the risks associated with current-day substance misuse. Check out this article from Safe and Sober Founder, Kurt Larson.
Read ArticleAugust 31st marks International Overdose Awareness Day – the world’s largest campaign to end overdose.
Read ArticleThe U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.
Read ArticleBinge drinking is all the rage with BORGs, a new alcohol concoction.
Read ArticleAn all-too-familiar story of prescribed medications leading to deadly addiction.
Watch VideoHow can you help teens stay safe on prom night? Keep reading to find out.
Read ArticleThere is an opioid crisis sweeping the nation, and fentanyl is at the center of it.
Read ArticleWhy do teens vape? Mental health plays a big part in their reasoning.
Read ArticleA new generation of nicotine addicts have easy access to vaping, and they don't know the risks.
Read ArticleLearn why parents have been easing up on alcohol rules, and the consequences they don't know they're bringing on.
Read ArticleThere are ways to spot marijuana use in teens. Learn about some here.
Read ArticleApproaching your teen about serious topics can be hard. This gives you a good place to start.
Read ArticleLearn about the dangers of the wide-spread drug, cannabis
Read ArticleThe drug market might be following your teen home.
Read ArticleVaping paves the pathway to other addictions for young nicotine users.
Read ArticleLearn about nitrous oxide and its popularity with teens.
Read ArticleSubstance misuse is growing among teens. Learn some of the factors, and what you can do about them.
Read ArticleLearn about the various types of impaired driving and the dangers they create.
Read ArticleRead about the ways language around addiction is changing.
Read ArticleAll teens are at risk of falling into substance misuse. Learn how to spot the signs and what to do about them.
Read ArticleLearn why alcohol impaired driving has been on the rise, and what you can do to stop it.
Read ArticleA look at how alcohol affects the developing brains of teenagers.
Watch VideoThis product was supported by SAMHSA grant funding.
Watch VideoReal talk from real teens on avoiding alcohol in high school.
Watch VideoWe break down the science and social factors of nicotine addiction.
Watch VideoLaw enforcement officers talk about their experiences with underage drinkers.
Watch VideoHealthline's Carly Vandergriendt shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about alcohol.
Read ArticleThe story of one young life cut short by a dangerous decision and tragic circumstances.
Watch VideoBro! For the first time ever, teenage girls now consume more alcohol than their male peers. Read why this flip of the alcohol gender gap has serious implications.
Read ArticleWhy binge drinking is a prevalent issue among teens, and how you can prevent it
Read ArticlePandemic Disruptions Continue for Students and Families
Read ArticleThe decision to drink and drive can impact your future and put lives in danger. Choose to say no.
Watch VideoFor your family. For your friends. For your future. For you.
Watch VideoMany teens are still struggling with emotional challenges as the world moves on from COVID-19. Our featured guest contributor breaks down some of the warning signs.
Read ArticleOpioid prescriptions are often misused. Safety is a top priority.
Read ArticleMiddle and high school students have been in the center of a mental health crisis for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought the situation into sharp focus.
Read ArticleStart the conversation about mental health with your teen.
Read ArticleThe earlier you can start the conversation, the better.
Read Article