Overview of Youth At-Risk Behavior

At-risk behavior is anything that puts youth at risk for future negative consequences, like poor health, injury or death. And while risky adolescent behavior isn't a new concept (most adults can likely recall at least a few poor choices they made as a teen), the type of risks teens are taking are shifting.

Social media, school violence, opioid misuse, and poor mental health are a few examples of the kinds of challenges today's teens are facing.

One reason risky behavior is so common during adolescence is that the teen brain isn't yet fully developed. Consequently, teens struggle to think about long-term consequences. Research also suggests that teens tend to perceive the benefits of the behavior more than the risks.

In addition, they experience the "not me" phenomenon. They never imagine that injury, pregnancy, or accidents could happen to them.

What Is At-Risk Behavior?

At-risk behaviors, also often referred to as high-risk behaviors or risky behaviors, include actions that increase the chance that a young person will be affected by disease, injury, death, or social problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that the following can be categorized as at-risk behaviors:

• Dating violence
• High-risk substance use
• School violence
• Sexual violence
• Suicidal behavior
• Reckless, impaired, or distracted driving
• Unprotected sex
• Underage drinking
• Vaping or smoking
• Social media use 

Tracking At-Risk Behaviors

The CDC tracks certain youth-at-risk behaviors that it has deemed important and observable in its Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). A report on different behavior categories is created every two years.

Past reports have also focused on other issues, including unintentional injuries, tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and physical inactivity.

At-Risk Sexual Behaviors

The 2023 YRBSS report showed these statistics with regard to sexual behavior:

• 32% of teens surveyed reported they had sex during their lifetime
• 6% reporting having four or more sexual partners
• 21% were sexually active
• 52% used condoms the last time they had sex
• 33% used hormonal birth control
• 7% have been tested for HIV
• 6% have been tested for STDs during the last year

The report found that boys were more likely than girls to have four or more sexual partners during their lifetime. LGBTQ+ high school students were less likely than cisgender and heterosexual students to have used condoms the last time they had sex. 

At-Risk Substance Use

The CDC's report found that in 2023:

• 22% of teens currently drink alcohol
• 17% currently used marijuana
• 10% had ever used illicit drugs
• 12% had ever misused prescription opioids
• 4% currently misused prescription opioids
  

The report also found that female LGBTQ+ youth were the most likely to engage in substance use behaviors.

At-Risk for Experiencing Violence

The CDC also reports that there has been a noted increase in high school-age students experiencing violence. According to the 2023 report:

• 9% were threatened or injured with a weapon at school
• 13% did not go to school because of safety concerns
• 19% were bullied at school
• 9% were ever forced to have sex
• 11% experienced sexual violence by anyone

The report also found that female and LGBTQ+ students were the most likely to experience violence. More than 1 in 10 female students reported that they had been forced to have sex. Almost 2 in 10 LGBTQ+ students missed school due to safety concerns.

At-Risk Mental Health and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

The CDC report found that all indicators of mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors became worse over the 10-year period between 2013 and 2023. According to the report:

• 40% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• 29% experienced poor mental health
• 20% seriously considered attempting suicide
• 16% made a suicide plan
• 9% attempted suicide
• 2% were injured in a suicide attempt and needed treatment by a doctor or nurse
  

The report found that female and LGBTQ+ students were more likely than others to experience persistent feelings of sadness and helplessness, poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Other Emerging Trends in At-Risk Youth Behavior

The CDC report also looked at emerging areas of concern. Areas highlighted in the report include:

• Parental monitoring: 84% of students reported that parents or adult knew where they were all more most of the time.
• School connectedness: 55% of students felt that they were close to people at their school. Cisgender and heterosexual students reported greater school connectedness than LGBTQ+ students.
• Unstable housing: 3% of students did not have a stable place to sleep.
• Racism in school: 32% of students reported they had experienced racism in school.
• Unfair discipline at school: 19% of students reported they had been unfairly disciplined at school.
• Social media use: 77% of students used social media several times a day.

How Parents Can Use the Results

Parents need to know the most common behaviors teens are engaging in that could lead to negative consequences. You can use the survey results to better understand the types of pressure your teen may face or the behaviors your teen might be tempted to engage in.

You can also use the survey to start a conversation with your teen. Say something like, "I was reading a survey the other day that said 17% of teens us marijuana. Do any of your friends smoke?" 

It's important to hold ongoing conversations with your teen about risky behavior. Listen to your teen's concerns and provide education whenever possible.