Peer pressure. That’s what many parents of teens fear when their child hits adolescence. “How can I keep my kids from drinking, getting involved in drugs, or even ending up in jail?” There is a way to keep your kids on track, you CAN help them stay away from all the bad stuff. When it comes to keeping your kids away from drinking, specifically, a new report from the University of Albany (see “Parenting Mediation in the Digital Era” soon to be published in the Journal of Health Communication) and I, say how. Here’s what you need to know.

The authors show that when parents mediate their child’s screen views, kids listen. When you as a mom or dad discuss what they see on their screens with regard to drinking, you can actually influence whether or not they drink. As simple as this sounds, most parents doubt that they really can persuade their kids to avoid drinking, but those doubts are 100% false. Deep down, many parents believe that media determines their child’s behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. This is absolutely not true. Sure, media messages influence our kids, but not nearly as powerfully as we can. So roll up your sleeves….