Lauren, a 15 year old school student, goes to a party at a friend’s house where the parents have supplied alcohol. She drinks too much and vomits in the car on the way home. While this type

of story may be common, it’s not inevitable. Our new research suggests parents have more of a positive influence on their teenagers’ relationship with alcohol than they realise. What parents

say, how they behave and the messages they send to their teenagers can help delay when their teenage kids start drinking, which is critical if they are to avoid the harmful and life-long

effects of alcohol on the developing brain. Parental influences also set the path to better drinking patterns (and reduced rates of alcohol dependence) as their teenage kids grow up. WHY ARE

alcohol altogether and delay starting for as long as possible. HOW BIG A PROBLEM IS IT? Out-of-control teenage parties often make the news headlines, so it’s easy to think teenage drinking

is a growing problem. But two national surveys have confirmed drinking rates among school students (aged 12-17) and young adults (aged 18-24) are declining. So, while young people may think

drinking is the norm, this is not the case, especially for those under the age of 15 where fewer than 15% report having drunk alcohol in the past month and 8% in the past week. Nevertheless,

alcohol contributes to four of the top five leading causes of death in 15-24 year olds, including suicide, traffic accidents, accidental poisoning and assault. Alcohol in this age group can

also lead to sexual risk-taking and is often associated with trying smoking or taking illicit drugs. It’s easy to think our efforts as parents to foster healthier drinking habits in our

teenage children is futile. But evidence shows exactly how parents can make a difference. Here are three things you can do to help your teenage kids develop a healthier relationship with

alcohol. 1. LIMIT AVAILABILITY OF ALCOHOL Many parents believe supplying their children with alcohol in the safe environment of their home teaches them to drink responsibly. In fact, an

Australian survey found parents were the most common source of alcohol with 38% of 12-17 year olds who had drunk in the past week indicating their parents gave them their last drink.

Unfortunately, parental supply – whether deliberate or if teenagers drink their parent’s supply behind their back – is associated with heavier teen drinking. And a study from the Netherlands

found the more adolescents drank at home, the more they were likely to drink outside of the home, which predicted future problem drinking. Our study also found if adolescents thought they

could buy alcohol easily, they were more likely to drink regularly. And the more spending money 16-17 year olds had, the more likely they were to drink. The weight of the evidence is now

clear. Allowing children to drink underage and supplying them with alcohol, including at parties, even under the supervision of a parent, is not recommended. 2. SET BOUNDARIES AND CLEAR

EXPECTATIONS Parents have a vital role to play in setting boundaries and clear expectations about drinking alcohol. Discuss alcohol with your kids and the fact not everyone drinks, even

though it might seem like they do. Talk about upcoming activities, including parties, and discuss expectations about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Talk to other parents and let them

know your expectations as it’s important to set clear social norms and expectations. Our study found adolescents who thought their parents would disapprove of them drinking alcohol were

much less likely to drink. This was the case across the whole age spectrum of 12-17 years. 3. BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia and most

adult drinking (80%) is done in the home. So, we also need to think about our own drinking in front of our children, however uncomfortable the prospect. Parents are important role models for

kids when it comes to alcohol. Setting a good example by limiting drinking in front of kids where possible, not making alcohol and drinking a key focal point, having alcohol-free events and

cutting back on your own binge drinking are all significant. This is important because kids who live in families where parents drink on a regular basis around their children are more likely

to drink more heavily themselves and start at an earlier age. PARENTS ARE NOT THE ONLY INFLUENCE, BUT ARE STILL IMPORTANT While parents can play a vital role in their children’s

relationship with alcohol, they are not the only factor to influence teenage drinking. Alcohol is more affordable in Australia than it has been in the past 30 years, and the number of

premises selling alcohol has increased substantially in the past 15 years. Throw advertising and sports sponsorship into the mix and we have some very strong messages that drinking alcohol

is the norm. Yet, the evidence shows parents can make significant and substantial difference in their teenage children’s relationship with alcohol, particularly in not giving them alcohol

before they turn 18 and helping them set good behavioural patterns around alcohol now and for later life.