Young People

A general introduction to what happens in the brain after children face traumatic experiences in childhood, like abuse and neglect.

In this short video, parents and teenagers talk about how rules and boundaries can support pre-teens and teenagers as they develop independence. Rules and boundaries can help, even as teenagers get closer to adulthood. Trust and communication is a big part of this. You can also see how different parents have different expectations about boundaries.

As one mum says, ‘Sometimes they want you to say no ... it makes them feel safe’.

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"With children of more permissive parents, psychological research has shown they have difficulty following rules, they can have less self control and can encounter more problems in their relationships and social interactions.''

In this video from the Australian Childhood Foundation, we look at what's happening inside a child's brain as they grow - and how this might affect your experience as a carer.

One thing we all have in common is that we all go through the human life cycle, which goes from infancy to childhood to adolescence to adulthood to old age and to death. Learn more about adolescence - or being a teenager - in this video from Mind Matters Australia.

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It’s common to feel exasperated trying to set limits and respond when limits are breached (especially around drug use). This factsheet from the Victorian Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice Service provides some ideas that may help you.

High school-aged young people are at a critical stage of development. There are concerns that a person who uses alcohol and other drugs (AOD) during this stage, may experience significant AOD harms in the future.

Delaying uptake as long as possible can help to reduce harms.

This in-depth Research Paper from the Australian Drug Foundation explores the evidence underpinning different interventions, programs and campaigns and describes strategies to prevent and delay AOD use by 12-17 year-olds.

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All young people need boundaries and consequences. It's part of normal, healthy development. Learn more about this topic in this video from Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service in Victoria.

Please note this resource was created outside of Tasmania: it may contain links for services not available in the state.

Adolescence is a key period of learning and growth. From around age 10 through to around age 25, young peoples’ brains are maturing and developing. This short video helps to explain why young people’s decision making may be seen by adults as risky, impulsive, poorly thought out, or driven by emotion.