Many Teenagers May Be Ignoring Coronavirus Safety Measures

During recent discussions with teenagers about the coronavirus, as well as watching news reports with students on spring break talking about COVID-19, it became clear to me that many young people are not taking the threat seriously. In fact, some have spoken rather cavalierly about the virus. I've heard comments that indicated they were not worried at all about getting sick; that they didn't care if they got it; that it was no big deal; as well as other statements about not being very concerned about the pandemic.

The more I heard their views, the more concerned I became at the seeming disregard for the safety of themselves and others. I wondered how adults could make clear the role that teenagers can play in helping to prevent the spread of the virus. As I thought more about the situation, it dawned on me that I may have misinterpreted the young people's dismissal of the problem and seeming lack of caring.

I realized that even though these young people were saying they weren't worried about the coronavirus, what they might have actually meant is they hadn't really thought much about it. After all, it's not pervasive in every community yet, and the dangers may seem more abstract than real to them. As a result, they might not be aware of how dangerous the virus is or how their actions may add to the chain of events that can spread it.

Since teenagers often tend to be self-focused and not always able to examine how their actions affect others, it makes sense that their responses to something as scary as COVID-19 might be to minimize it. If they minimize it in their minds, it can lessen the importance they give to it, which can cause them to say that they don't care much about it.

In order to get teenagers to start caring about the coronavirus, it seems the first step is to explain the dangers, not only to themselves but also the people with whom they interact in their lives. I found with the teenagers I spoke with that when the seriousness of the pandemic was made clear, they suddenly started to care. When they understood that this was a highly infectious disease that could spread throughout their families, if proper precautions were not taken, they took notice. When they were told they could carry it for up to 14 days without symptoms, but still be contagious, they listened. They all had family members they cared about, and the thought of potentially passing a life-threatening illness on to them made the situation much more real.

While the goal was not to create unnecessary fear, sometimes it's important to let people know why you find an issue important. Once teenagers can make the connection of how the virus not only might affect them but endanger their entire families—people they love—their attitudes can change significantly. All of a sudden, they may start caring a great deal about not coming down with COVID-19.

How does this change happen? If you are a parent of teenagers or work with teens, you are probably very interested in having them take safety precautions to help keep everyone safe. Here are some ways that might make a difference in helping young people see the value of being safety-conscious during this stressful time:

1. Make sure they are informed — Teenagers often don't pay attention to the news. With all of the distractions in their lives, they may not be concentrating on the dangers of the pandemic. Make sure they are aware of what's happening in the world. Since they may not yet see the effects of the virus in their neighborhoods, providing information can help them recognize the severity of the situation.

2. Let them know that they are connected to more than just themselves — Teenagers have a tendency to be mostly focused on their own needs. They are still figuring out their place in the world. This is not because they don't care about others; it is because developmentally they are still in the process of self-discovery. They need to be made aware that they are an important piece of the puzzle in helping to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

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3. Praise safe behavior — In this time of "sheltering in place," you may be able to give more of your time to the teens in your household. Make it a point to praise safe behaviors—from extra hand-washing to taking notice when they are considerate of others. The hope is that with positive reinforcements, the teenager will start to take on a sense of their own responsibility in continuing their safety behaviors.

The bottom line is this: When talking to teenagers, the goal should be to help them see the value in taking more precautions. It is important for them to recognize they are not alone in the world. Their actions and safety measures not only protect them but also protect the people in their lives.

Whether it's a parent, a grandparent, or a family friend, young people need to realize they are not just helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for themselves; they are helping to keep everyone in their community safe. When teenagers have this understanding, it can make the difference between not caring about the coronavirus and caring a great deal.