Risk Taking Behaviour

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In conclusion, this dissertation has explored the topic of risk taking behaviour amongst young people aged 14-18. Chapter 1 aimed to identify what risk taking behaviours occur in modern Britain, as well as considering why young people put themselves in danger, and the consequences of it. The first part of the chapter explored the different types of risk taking behaviours, which focused on alcohol, drug taking and risky sexual behaviour. These proved to be the most popular types of risk taking behaviour amongst young people aged 14-18. The chapter also explored why young people put themselves at risk. This question found that peer influence and family influence can play a part in young people’s decisions. The Social Learning Theory is also used …show more content…

It was found that social media sites such as Facebook may encourage young people to participate in risk taking behaviour as it allows them to discuss risky topics and share experiences with their peers away from judgement (Lenhart, 2009; Winpenny, Marteu and Nolte, 2014). It was found that social media presents risky behaviours of their own. As well as giving young people a platform to discuss risky behaviour, it also presents issues such as young people sending sexual images to each other through social media. This point answers the aim of the chapter, which was asking whether social media and other media influences young people into participating in risk taking behaviour, as it is evident that it does in some cases. As well as this, it was found that media such as television programmes can influence young people. This is because in some cases, they show risky behaviours such as binge drinking to be positive. This also explores the question whether media that is not online can influence young people. Evidence has suggested that it can (Al-Sayed and Gunter, 2012), as young people may think that risky behaviour is ok because they saw it on television. Other factors that have been found to influence young people’s behaviour are environmental factors. It was found that young people who have been abused are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. This may be because they want to numb their emotions attached to their experiences. This chapter explored the different influences that may impact young people into participating in risk taking behaviour, and the evidence discussed has suggested that there are many different aspects of media that may influence different risk taking behaviour. For example, drugs may be discussed positively on social media, and alcohol is shown as positive on television. Overall, this chapter fulfilled the aim that

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