Your Safety When You're Out

A good outing with friends can easily turn into a nightmare if you’re not careful.

- Bonolo Sekudu

AS A teenager, one of your favourite things to do with your friends might be to party up a storm but it is important for you to know that having fun can quickly turn ugly if you are not careful. Move! gives you some important facts that will help you stay safe and out of trouble, especially during December holidays.

TRYING TO FIT IN

Exploring new things is what teenagers generally take an interest in. The founder of Teen Coaching, an organisation that looks after the emotional wellbeing of teenagers, Nomveliso Mbanga says, “One of the challenges we have is that teens experiment with alcohol, recreational drugs and sex. They seldom talk and seek help when they find themselves in sticky situations such being raped while drunk or drugged because they often don't ask for permission to go to these places.”

The society we live in and the lifestyle portrayed in the media often tempts teens to want to do certain things. Dr Shaheda Omar, a director at an organisation that offers counselling and therapy to abused children in Johannesburg called The Teddy Bear Clinic, says, “Teens often experiment because of what they've seen on TV or heard from their peers. Some of the things they end up doing give them a sense of belonging and getting approval from others.”

DANGERS OF GOING TO PARTIES

Dr Omar adds that while parties are meant for enjoyment, often than not, they can quickly turn into a nightmare.