Late adolescents (16-18 years)

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's teens and alcohol content, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth teens and alcohol content. 

A listing of organisations, resources and supports available for parents and whānau (family) of rainbow tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people).

Many children come across porn and online sexual images now, whether it’s by accident, a friend has shown them, or because they’re curious. Sexual content is now featured across many mainstream social media platforms and often easier to find than avoid. Over a quarter of children have seen porn by age 12. Having simple and age-appropriate conversations around porn and online sexual content with children is a great way to help protect and prepare them to navigate their online world.

The online world is changing rapidly, and chances are most teenagers will see, or have seen, pornography (porn) either on porn sites or across mainstream social media platforms. Talking about porn can feel awkward at first, but young people tell us that they want, and need, better porn conversations and support from adults.

Vaping rates in rangatahi (young people) continue to increase in Aotearoa. Vaping is harmful to tamariki (children) and rangatahi - it can have an impact on their health and wellbeing. 

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content on parenting teens, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth section on parenting teens. 

If your teenager is experiencing bullying, anxiety or depression, there are some things you can do to support them. It is important to get help if you are concerned about your teen's emotional and mental wellbeing. 

All tamariki (children) explore different ways of expressing their gender. For some tamariki, gender can be fluid. Be open to wherever your child's gender journey leads. Find out how to support your gender diverse younger child or teen, and where to get your own support. Check the resources for takatāpui and whānau, and Pasifika young people.

Your child will start to lose their primary or baby teeth around the age of 6 and will have all their adult teeth (except for wisdom teeth) by the age of 14. Find out what to expect and how to care for their teeth.   

Talking with your child about sex can be difficult but it's important. If you want to be involved in shaping your child's ideas and attitudes about sex, start these conversations early.

The brain develops very rapidly in the first 3 to 5 years of life, and all the structures and building blocks are present by the age of 9. Find out when the different centres of the brain develop.

Even with the best parents in the world, young people can still get into trouble. Most teenagers will experiment with alcohol and getting it wrong is not uncommon. 

Parties are part of the fun in growing up and a good way for young people to be able to mix with others. Plans and boundaries help to keep your teenager safer.

Look for opportunities to talk about drugs with your teenager. Talk with your teens about ways they can so no to alcohol or other drugs, without them losing face with their friends. Be informed about drugs.

Alcohol is our most common recreational drug. Those under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking, and not drinking in this age group is especially important. 

Alcohol is our most common recreational drug. Not drinking is the safest option for young people under 18 years of age.