Bullying is not just limited to the schoolyard and unlike previous generations bullying can follow young people into their homes. Bullying via social media is becoming more serious and significantly effecting young people.
Bullying can have life long effects on mental health and unfortunately is leading to secondary issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide.
Photo: Angela Butler
Peer pressure
Peer pressure occurs when a young person is influenced or pressured by those around them into participating in risky behaviour or acting in a way that they normally wouldn’t.
This is usually through friends at school, sporting groups, relatives, neighbours etc.
Young people can often feel peer pressured into the following:
- Drugs or Alcohol
- Shop lifting / Other criminal activity
- Sexual experiences
- Skipping school
- Drink driving
Experiencing peer pressure can be a difficult time for young people, as they can lose friends and create conflict between themselves, other peers and adults in their lives.
