How can we prevent teenagers from engaging in reckless behavior?

Medical and psychological experts suggest that parents should listen to their children more.

"I hope that the moment I open up and share my feelings, my parents will listen to me and not scold me right away."

"Once I've calmed down, please give me feedback on things I need to improve on. No matter how busy you are with work, please spare some time for us," N. shared her wish.

According to Doctor Dieu Vinh, in children aged 10-18, during puberty, sex hormones are secreted, causing changes in their physical appearance and psychological state.

Children become very sensitive and easily influenced by their surroundings, such as the words and actions of family members, friends, teachers, etc.

At this age, children want to assert themselves and make their own decisions like adults, but they lack sufficient experience, so when criticized by adults, they easily become emotionally hurt.

Children may feel left out, trapped, bored, and prone to impulsive or reckless behavior. When children feel insecure, they need understanding and empathy even more.

Dr. Dieu Vinh also believes that children in urban areas are at higher risk of developing mental health problems. They face pressure from schoolwork, social media, and other sources. Many children attend school from early morning until late at night.

Some children study so much that they can't eat and come home exhausted. If parents don't share the burden and instead add more pressure, the children are more likely to develop psychological problems.

Furthermore, children have very little time to play and talk with family and friends; they also have little time for physical exercise, less time to be close to nature, and fewer healthy recreational activities. With the current lifestyle, children lack balance in their lives and are easily stressed.

Children who spend too much time on their phones are also exposed to a lot of information on social media, especially negative information.

Dr. Dieu Vinh advises parents to be responsible, love their children more, spend time listening to and understanding them, and not impose their own opinions on them.

Encourage children to play in groups, participate in sports, and learn subjects like piano or drawing so they can relax and relieve stress in their lives.

Dr. Ngo Xuan Diep, from the Psychology Department of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the education of children today has changed significantly compared to previous generations.

In addition to education from family and school, children are now receiving education from information on social media. Children no longer receive information in an imposed way as before, but rather seek liberation.

Meanwhile, parents' values and perspectives on life are shaped by years of experience. When discussing an issue, the two generations may have different ways of thinking, but parents often want to impose their own ideas on their children, making them feel misunderstood and not able to share their thoughts.

Especially during adolescence, children are prone to negative emotions. In addition, they face other pressures such as academic pressure; children simply want their parents to listen, understand, and allow them to make their own decisions...

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