Staying Safe: How Social and Emotional Skills Protect Your Health
Peer reviewed by Dr. Peter Rawlek, MD & Scott Rollo, PhD.
Being a teenager is full of new experiences—more independence, stronger friendships, and exciting opportunities. But it’s also a time when your health and safety can be challenged. This happens partly because your brain and emotions are still developing, and because friends and social situations influence your choices. The good news? Building strong social and emotional skills helps you make smart decisions and stay safe.
Why You as a Teen Are More Susceptible to Risks
During adolescence, your brain is still maturing—especially the parts that help with decision making and controlling impulses. This means it’s easy to focus on short-term rewards, like impressing friends, without thinking about long-term consequences. Add peer pressure and the desire to fit in, and risky situations can arise quickly.
Risks can happen in many places:
Online: Sharing personal information or chatting with strangers.
At school: Feeling pushed to skip class or join in dangerous dares.
In the community: Being in places where you don’t feel safe.
At home: Arguments or stressful situations that affect your well-being.
Recognizing these risks is the first step to managing them.
Building Your Social and Emotional Skills for Safety
Certain skills can help you navigate tricky situations and protect yourself:
1. Responsible Decision Making
Think through your choices and consider the consequences. For example, before riding in a car without a seatbelt, ask yourself: “What could happen if there’s an accident?” Making decisions based on facts—not pressure—helps keep you safe.
2. Self-Awareness
Notice your emotions and what they’re telling you. If you feel nervous before joining a group activity, that might be a signal to pause and think carefully.
3. Self-Management
Stay in control, even when things get tough. Taking deep breaths when you’re angry or walking away from an argument can help you avoid harm.
4. Relationship Building
Choose friends who respect your decisions and support your safety. Friends who push you toward risky behavior aren’t helping.
5. Social Awareness
Pay attention to how others feel and how situations affect them. For example, stepping in safely if you see someone being bullied shows empathy and awareness.
Real-Life Example
Imagine you’re at a party and someone offers you a drink you don’t want. You can:
Use self-awareness to recognize your discomfort.
Practice self-management by confidently saying no.
Rely on relationship building by staying with a trusted friend who supports your choice.
Ideas: What are situations you’ve experienced that you could use as examples
Reflective Prompts
Take a moment to ask yourself:
How do I usually react when I feel pressured to do something risky?
Do I think about the consequences before making decisions?
Which social and emotional skill do I want to improve most?
Building social and emotional skills isn’t just about avoiding risky situations—it’s about protecting your health, making confident choices, and developing habits that will keep you safe now and into the future.