Peer pressure

Peer pressure

A introduction for students in early secondary school

This short online lesson will focus

on peer pressure

This is relevant to you as a young person who may experience pressure OR as a friend of someone else who is being pressured.

Open Ended

What is peer pressure? Write a definition using your own words.

What is peer pressure?

Your peer is someone who is your age and who you associate with often (for example, at school).

Peer pressure is influence from members of one's peer group. It is when your friends or people that you associate with try to convince you to do something.

Open Ended

What is the difference between pressuring someone and encouraging them?

There are many different things that a young person can feel pressured to do

Obvious examples that we often discuss is pressure for young people to smoke or drink. But there are other types of peer pressure too.

Examples

• Pressure to go to a party

• Pressure to do something your parents have said you're not allowed to

• Pressure to share or like images online that you don't want to

• Pressure to be available all the time (via Whatsapp or social media platforms)

• Pressure to be mean to someone that others do not like

Open Ended

Which examples do you relate to most? Or are there other examples that you relate to more? Record them here.

It can be overwhelming!

Pressure can be very difficult!

Teens are often told 'just say no'

And although that is very good advice, saying no to your friends all the time can take its toll. Doing so can feel difficult and exhausting if you do not have the support of people around you.

Open Ended

What does it feel like to have a friend who tries to peer pressure you? (If you do not have a friend like that, imagine what it might feel like).

Pressure damages friendships

People who put lots of pressure on you are not building you up and making you strong - instead, they are trying to wear you down.

Your friends should not pressure you in this way, and you should not pressure your friends either!

Open Ended

How can you be a good friend to someone who you notice is being pressured by others?

Be a good friend to others

Even if you are not being pressured yourself, it is important to be a good friend to others. If someone does not want to do something, you can support them in their personal decision.

Scenarios!

We are going to return to our online lesson now. We will discuss some scenarios in our break out rooms.