Why Do Teenagers Take Risks? Understanding the Adolescent Brain

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why teenagers take such seemingly “dumb” risks — whether it’s speeding in a car, experimenting with drugs, engaging in unsafe online behaviour, or getting into fights — you’re not alone. These types of choices often leave parents, teachers, and caregivers scratching their heads and asking, “What were they thinking?”

The answer lies, quite literally, in their brains.

The Adolescent Brain: A Work in Progress

Recent research in neuroscience has revealed something important (and reassuring): the teenage brain is still under construction.

During adolescence, certain brain regions — particularly those involved in reward-seeking, emotions, and pleasure — develop earlier than the brain regions responsible for reasoning, impulse control, and long-term planning. These “emotion and reward” areas include the limbic system and ventral striatum, which become more active and sensitive during the teenage years.

In contrast, the prefrontal cortex, the brain's centre for judgment, regulation, and decision-making, continues developing well into a person's twenties — typically reaching full maturity around 25 years of age.

This mismatch in brain development helps explain why adolescents are:

• More likely to seek out thrilling or novel experiences
• Highly influenced by peer approval
• More impulsive and prone to emotional reactions
• Less able to accurately weigh long-term consequences

So no, your teenager isn't broken or "just being difficult" — they're biologically wired to be more reactive, adventurous, and emotionally driven at this stage of life.

But Why Take Risks at All?

Although risky behaviours can be dangerous, developmental psychologists also believe that risk-taking serves an essential purpose in adolescence.

Healthy risk-taking allows young people to:

• Explore identity: Taking social, academic, or physical risks can help teenagers learn what they like, value, and believe.
• Build independence: Trying new things — even when scary or uncomfortable — fosters a sense of autonomy and self-confidence.
• Learn through experience: Some lessons can’t be taught — they need to be felt. Taking manageable risks teaches cause and effect, decision-making, and resilience.

The challenge for parents and educators is not to eliminate risk-taking entirely, but to guide teens toward safe, growth-enhancing experiences.

What Can Parents and Schools Do?

Knowing that teens are wired to seek out risk and novelty, it becomes even more important for adults to set healthy boundaries, provide supervision, and encourage safe outlets for exploration.

Here are a few ways to support your teen’s development:

• Set clear rules and expectations — Boundaries create safety and help teens learn self-regulation, especially when explained with empathy and consistency.
• Stay connected — Maintain strong, open relationships so teens feel comfortable coming to you when they’re unsure, hurt, or scared.
• Encourage healthy risk-taking — Sports, performing arts, creative projects, volunteering, part-time work, or travel can satisfy the craving for adventure while fostering positive development.
• Talk openly about risky behaviours — Conversations about drugs, sex, online safety, and peer pressure are most effective when ongoing, non-judgmental, and evidence-informed.
• Model good decision-making — Teens may not always act like they’re listening, but they watch closely how you respond to stress, solve problems, and handle mistakes.

The Good News

As teens grow, the parts of the brain responsible for impulse control, planning, and perspective-taking eventually catch up. By the time most young people reach their mid-20s, the prefrontal cortex becomes fully developed, allowing for greater emotional regulation, self-awareness, and wise decision-making.

So while adolescence can feel like a wild ride, it’s helpful to remember that this stage is temporary — and crucial. With the right mix of support, boundaries, and opportunity, teenagers can come through it more resilient, self-aware, and ready for adulthood.