Parents
An Engaging Program to Empower Your Child
You’re in a unique position to positively influence your teenager’s attitude to underage drinking and their relationship with alcohol once they’re of the legal drinking age.
You can help them make informed decisions about alcohol, share the dangers associated with underage drinking, and role model how alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation if they choose to drink once they’re 18 and older.
Alcohol & the Teenage Brain
Your teen’s brain will continue developing until their early 20s. Critical areas that help them with learning, planning, emotional stability, and memory are all still growing and forming. This means your teen is particularly vulnerable to long-term damage caused by underage drinking, and the safest option for them is to abstain from drinking alcohol until they’re at least 18.
Underage Drinking Laws
We all know it’s illegal in Australia for anyone under 18 to buy or drink alcohol in licensed premises or public places. Here are some of the other laws that you might not be as familiar with:
Fake IDs
If your teenager uses a fake ID to enter or buy alcohol from a licensed venue, they can get an on-the-spot penalty and be fined by the court. They may also have months added to their provisional driver’s license.
Accompanying and Supervising Minors in Licensed Venues
If you let your teenager or another minor drink alcohol in a licensed venue, you risk an on-the-spot penalty or court imposed fine.
Supplying Alcohol to a Minor at Home or on Unlicensed Premises
The Laws Related to Alcohol Vary By State
Download the guide for your state with more information including: drinking underage, fake IDs and supplying alcohol to a minor
fines
State
Offence
Maximum penalty
Offence by
NSW
Supply alcohol to a minor away from licensed premises that is not consistent with the responsible supervision of the minor
$11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both
Offence by any person
Victoria
Supply alcohol to a minor away from licensed premises that is not consistent with the responsible supervision of the minor
$11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both
Offence by any person
NSW
Supply alcohol to a minor away from licensed premises that is not consistent with the responsible supervision of the minor
$11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both
Offence by any person
NSW
Supply alcohol to a minor away from licensed premises that is not consistent with the responsible supervision of the minor
$11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both
Offence by any person
WA
Supply alcohol to a minor away from licensed premises that is not consistent with the responsible supervision of the minor
$11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both
Offence by any person
Fines correct at the time of publishing, however, they may increase.
How Is Responsible Supervision of a Minor Defined?
Some of the facts taken into consideration by the courts in determining responsible supervision of a minor include:
- The child’s age.
- Whether the adult supervisor is intoxicated.
- Whether the child ate food with the alcohol.
- Whether the person supplying the alcohol is responsibly supervising the child's consumption of that alcohol.
- The quantity and type of alcohol.
- The time period over which it’s supplied.
Tips for Talking to Your Teenager About Underage Drinking
Did you know? Your teen is more likely than adults to be involved in risky or antisocial behavior if they consume alcohol.
If you choose to drink, role model how alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation by those who are 18 years and older.
Talk to your teenager about the reasons why you want them to abstain from underage drinking and some of the potential consequences, including:
- Long-term damage to their still-developing brain
- The risk that in today’s always connected world, they may be more vulnerable to negative social media images or videos shared without their consent and that they have no control over
- The harsh penalties and fines they risk if they’re caught drinking underage
Consequences of Underage Drinking
Stats show that a teenager who consumes alcohol is more likely than an adult to:
- Cause damage to their liver, heart, stomach, and brain if they regularly drink alcohol
- Be a victim of a crime, including sexual and physical assault
- Be involved in an accident
- Consider self-harm
- Be involved in risky and antisocial behaviour
- Make poor decisions
- Pass out or choke on their own vomit
- Overdose, which can be fatal
Tips for Responding to Your Teenager’s Trickiest Questions
Peer pressure’s tough, I remember how hard it can be, especially when you want to fit in. I hope you’ll feel comfortable enough to be honest with your friends, tell them you don’t want to drink, and you hope they’ll respect your choice. Try and avoid situations where you think you might get pressured or suggest something else like going to the beach or seeing a movie.
It can be, especially at your age. I worry that you could find yourself in a vulnerable situation where you could get hurt or suffer some other consequence that could impact you well into the future.
It’s not about fairness. There are plenty of things that aren’t appropriate for teenagers for good reason, and drinking alcohol is one. It’s illegal for you to drink, and making a responsible decision about alcohol isn’t something that most teenagers are ready for.
I did, but looking back now, I realise how risky it was. I was nowhere near mature enough to really understand some of the vulnerable positions I placed myself in. We know so much more about the dangers of teenagers drinking now and the long-term damage it can cause.
To me, it’s a big deal because I know you’re too young, and drinking at your age could put you in a bad situation. It’s my job to keep you safe. I can’t control what your friends do, but I love you and want the best for you.
Underage Drinking Stats
The good news is that more and more teenagers are saying no to alcohol. The statistics below are from the most recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Survey (2016) for teenagers ages 12–17.
82%
don’t drink alcohol
(up from 72% in 2013)
16.1
the age a young person first tried alcohol
(up from 15.7 in 2013)
Most usual places teenagers consume alcohol:
-
Private parties 60.6%
-
Their own home 39.2%
-
A friend's house 38.3%
-
Raves or dance parties 10.2%
42.7%
Friend or acquaintance
31.5%
Parent
12.3%
Relative
About Smashed
Smashed is dedicated to breaking the culture of underage drinking in Australia. Through creative education, we equip young people with the information, awareness and confidence to make responsible choices around alcohol.
Smashed engages young people in a unique way, allowing them to explore the causes and consequences of underage drinking in a safe and motivational learning environment.
About Smashed
Smashed is dedicated to breaking the culture of underage drinking in Australia. Through creative education, we equip young people with the information, awareness and confidence to make responsible choices around alcohol.
Smashed engages young people in a unique way, allowing them to explore the causes and consequences of underage drinking in a safe and motivational learning environment.
Bring Smashed to Your Child’s School!
If you’d like your child to experience our program, get in touch with their school and let them know about Smashed! You can also encourage your child to go through the program on their own in as little as 60 minutes! Contact us and let us know your schools details so we can reach out to them.
Bring Smashed to Your Child’s School!
If you’d like your child to experience our program, get in touch with their school and let them know about Smashed! You can also encourage your child to go through the program on their own in as little as 60 minutes! Contact us and let us know your schools details so we can reach out to them.
