Pediatricians Urge Parents to Talk to Teens Early About Alcohol - East Idaho News
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Pediatricians Urge Parents to Talk to Teens Early About Alcohol

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Getty 083015 Alcohol?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1440993161685iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — It may be better to talk to your teens about alcohol earlier rather than later.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement Monday telling parents to talk to their teens about alcohol, and specifically address the dangers and health effects of binge drinking.

And the message may not come a moment too soon.

Past research cited by the group shows that over three-quarters of U.S. teens will eventually experiment with alcohol. These teens are more likely to engage in risky behavior leading to such negative consequences as unwanted pregnancies, irreversible brain changes, and severe injury and death.

The group also notes that kids as young as 9 years old have started to think about trying alcohol.

What’s the solution?

Talk to your kids about alcohol. The AAP says the very act of addressing the dangers with them influences their decisions around alcohol and leads them to make smarter choices.

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