A new campaign from Balance has been launched to provide parents with the facts and share advice and information about how to talk to children and young people about alcohol.
As parents we want to do the right thing for our children. But drinking before 18 can harm their physical and mental health, and put them into risky situations. Providing children with alcohol undermines age of sale laws designed to protect our communities and can trigger heavier and more regular drinking. Liver disease among young people is rising, and long term alcohol use is linked to at least seven types of cancer. The longer we can delay alcohol in their lives, the better.
As parents we have more influence than we might think in setting boundaries for our children. Balance has produced a free Guide for Parents which covers the CMO guidance, the myths and the facts, and gives advice on how parents can talk to their child about alcohol. Click here to download the free parents guide.
The advice from England’s Chief Medical Officer is that “Children and their parents and carers are advised that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option. However, if children drink alcohol it should not be until at least the age of 15 years”.
Children’s bodies and brains are still developing well into the teenage years and beyond. The CMO guidance outlines some of the risks to children’s physical and mental health from drinking alcohol, from risky behaviour to low mood and depression.
Do you know how alcohol can put your children at risk? Read more about the risks here.
Ever thought about how exposed our children are to alcohol? Read about the pressures on young people.
There are also many myths out there about alcohol and young people! View the myths and facts here.
Talking to your child about alcohol can be difficult. Click here for tips on how to talk to your child about alcohol. Real life stories can help you start the conversation – view the real life stories here.
