Peer pressure in school

Everyone has peers. Peers can be your friends who are about your age and have similar interests and experiences. Peers can also be other kids who are about your age and are involved in the same activities with you or are part of a community or group you belong to. You may not consider all of your peers to be friends, but they can all influence you.    

Peer pressure does have some positive aspects - for example, conforming to safe and healthy behaviour and peers influencing academic achievement.

Negative peer pressure is often related to influencing bullying behaviours, drinking alcohol, drug use and negative body image, all of which are harmful to a child or young person’s wellbeing.

The effects of such behaviours can decrease self-confidence, self-worth and distancing from family members and friends.

What strategies can help handle negative peer pressure?

• Pay attention to how you feel.  If something doesn’t feel right about a situation, it probably isn’t.  Even if your friends seem ok with what is going on, the situation may not be right for you.

• Plan ahead. Think about how you will respond in different situations.  Plan what you can say or what you can do.

• Talk to the person who is pressuring, let him or her know how it makes you feel and tell the person stop.