‘Guide teens against peer pressure’
“Many of us fear and are shy about speaking to our parents, and some of my friends have got depressed, others resorted to drinking strong drinks, hoping to get healed, but instead some have ended up leaving school,” remarked one of the teens, as others reflected on the influence of social media and the pressure to imitate unrealistic lifestyles.
Dr Lynda Nakalawa (seated 3rd from left) with teens and other facilitators during the Real Talk for Teens workshop organised by MizImpact Hub at Greenhill Academy, Kibuli in Kampala. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)
KAMPALA - Dr. Lynda Nakalawa, a psychologist at Makerere University, has advised parents to create time to share with teens as they develop, and not to be diverted by peer pressures.
She said parents who say they are busy should create time and share their experience with the teens on safety and live a better health, advising students to focus on their education as a key tool for the future, if they are to live a responsible life after school.
She explained that in the past, parents spent time and shared stories, which guided them on what was good and bad, which is not the case today.
“Sometimes when parents are free, much of the time is spent on phones. When I was growing up, this is where I learnt tips that helped me stay and maintain in school, not to be diverted by peer pressure. Many teens are depressed and have fallen prey to bad friendships,” remarked Nakalawa.
She made the remarks while speaking to teens from various schools who gathered at Greenhill Academy, Kibuli, for the Real Talk for Teens workshop organised by Doreen Lwabi and Lillian Mpabulugi, a peer educator under the MizImpact Hub.
Peer educator Lillian Mpabulugi takes teens through a session during the Real Talk for Teens workshop. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)
Margaret Nyarukundo, a peer educator, cautioned teens about the dangers of gifts that cause teenage pregnancy and school dropout. “Be contented with what your parents can afford for you,” she warned, insisting that free gifts often come with hidden costs, which may tempt and affect one’s life.
Teens expressed concerns over their body changes, saying they find it hard to share with their parents because they lack the time to listen to them.
“Many of us fear and are shy about speaking to our parents, and some of my friends have got depressed, others resorted to drinking strong drinks, hoping to get healed, but instead some have ended up leaving school,” remarked one of the teens, as others reflected on the influence of social media and the pressure to imitate unrealistic lifestyles.
Lwabi and Mpabulungi reminded teenagers about online images and the often hidden truth, saying, “Some teens take photos in malls pretending to live a life they don’t have.”
Only 32% of pupils who start Primary One make it to Primary Seven, with up to 4.5 million learners dropping out of the 7-year cycle annually.
Dr. Daniel Ezale, a senior gynaecologist at Nsambya Hospital and parent, said one cannot simply deny teens access to gadgets, as it can increase curiosity, urging parents to use digital controls to regulate what teens see.