Teenage Risks and how to Avoid Them (good luck!)

This is an interesting article in the NYT (12/07) about research being conducted at Cornell and other places about teens perceptions of risk and how this information can be used to design effective prevention strategies.

In a nutshell, showing teens videos of deadly car crashes is unlikely to be effective - because they are already highly fatalistic, presenting teens with data on risk may backfire - particularly if they believe that you are telling them that the risks are lower than they thought.

The researchers have concluded that programs that teach teens to anticipate and practice avoiding risky situations before they are in them may help, but are no substitute for good old fashioned adult supervision and minimization of opportunity for risky situations by providing positive activities.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/health/18brod.html?ex=1355634000&en=e09725c0c6dd2782&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink