When to Talk to Another Parent About a Teenager’s Risky Behavior

We all tell our teenagers to never, ever text behind the wheel. Yet every time I leave the house, I see a young driver staring at a phone screen while driving. I’ve always wondered what their parents would think.

For a friend of mine, that dilemma became a reality. She was driving around town when a friend’s son sped past her, staring at his screen. What to do? She didn’t want to get the teenager in trouble, but she also hoped another parent would tell her if one of her teenagers was doing something so dangerous.

For decades, parents have faced this tough situation. Whether it’s bullying, drugs and alcohol, or reckless driving, sometimes we learn something about a friend’s teenager that we think the friend should know. Do we tell? What if our friend doesn’t want to know that her teenager is misbehaving? What if my teenager suffers as a result of my tattling? What if it ruins my friendship? There are many things to consider before approaching another parent, but it’s important to know when telling is the right thing to do.

Should You Talk to Another Parent?

Here are a few suggestions for gracefully handling sticky situations with your fellow parents.

1. Safety Is Top Priority

Some teens engage in behavior that may be risky or annoying, but it doesn’t put themselves or others in serious danger. If a teen’s conduct could result in injury or death, it’s time to consider talking to another parent. In 2014, distracted driving resulted in 3,179 deaths and 431,000 injuries, yet teens continue to text behind the wheel. Ask yourself, If you don’t speak up, how will you feel if that teen’s distracted driving resulted in deaths or injuries? Even if the teenager’s parents are upset, if it saves a life it will be well worth it.

2. Make a Pact

Proactively attacking the issue could be the best approach. Some parents make a pact with other parents within their social circles to always talk to another parent if something comes up with their children. As teens start driving, these types of promises become especially important, since teen drivers are nearly three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than someone 20 years of age or older. With an agreement in place, you’ll not only lay the groundwork for yourself to report these incidents, but you’ll ensure you’re among the first to know if your own kids are putting themselves in danger. (Note that even with a pact, feelings can get hurt, so be prepared.)

3. Speak to the Teen

If you’re uncomfortable approaching the teen’s parents, another option may be to communicate your concerns directly. If your own teenager is a friend of the offending teen, mention what you saw and say that you’re considering having a conversation with the parents. Your teenager may choose to have a talk with the friend instead. If you can call or speak to the teen in person, express your concerns and state that if you see the teen texting behind the wheel again, you’ll say something to his or her parents.

After hearing from many parents that they would want to know if their kid were texting and driving, my friend decided to talk to the teen’s mom about what she saw. Grateful for the information, the mom spoke to her child about responsible driving. Even though she was torn about it at first, my friend is now glad she had that conversation. It just might have saved a life.

Stephanie Faris is a freelance writer in Nashville, TN, and the author of the Piper Morgan series and a series of books for tweens. Learn more at stephaniefaris.com.