The Impact of Negative Peer Pressure in School

As the child is growing up and getting exposed to different social circles, they may start to experience peer influence on many different levels. The negative peer pressure can have many shapes and forms, affecting kids’ mental health. The need to fit in and be accepted by the group may sometimes lead to risky behaviors.

In this article, we will explore all the ways in which peers can negatively affect a child or an adolescent. By understanding the different types of influence, we will be able to get a good grasp on how to support children, foster their assertiveness, and teach them that being unique is valued.

What Is Negative Peer Pressure and How Does It Manifest in School Settings?

Negative peer pressure relates to a phenomenon when a group of children influence others to engage in unethical, risky, or destructive behaviors.

Because of their friends, children can feel the need to fit in and prove themselves to others, forgetting about the negative consequences of their actions.

In the school setting, peer pressure can manifest in a number of negative ways:

• Skipping classes;
• Bullying other children;
• Cheating on tests and exams;
• Alcohol and drug use;
• Engaging in sexual activities;
• Performing risky social media challenges.

These are just some common examples of negative peer pressure in school, as it heavily depends on children’s age, character, and their social groups.

It’s important to note that some adolescents are more prone to negative pressure than others. A lot of it comes down to ones’ status, number of friends, and confidence. For example, a child who has less friends or lower self esteem, may be more inclined to appeal to other children through risky behavior.

Negative peer pressure can also be covert (e.g. teasing and threats) or overt (e.g. exclusion from the group or silent treatment). Kids and teenagers can not only experience it during school time, but also when being online via social media platforms and group chats.

The Psychology Behind Peer Influence Among Students

During adolescence, a child’s brain and identity are still developing–all while they experience hormonal changes and new life experiences. This mixture can be a difficult time for many young people who are looking for social acceptance among their social circle.

Because social acceptance feels rewarding, it can lead teens and adolescents to engage in unwanted activities only to appeal to their friends. Even if a certain activity is negative, fitting in through certain actions can be linked to a dopamine response, which is the brain’s “reward system.” Thus, kids and adolescents may find risky behavior pleasurable and exciting.

Moreover, fear of being ostracized from friend groups may often override a child’s personal ability to objectively judge the situation. Hence why they may feel the need to mirror what others are doing, even if they don’t personally agree with a certain belief or action.

Types of Negative Peer Pressure Students Commonly Face

Unfortunately, students can face a lot of negative influence from their peers at school.

The negative impact of friends can show in the following ways:

• Direct pressure – Most commonly, a child’s friends may ask or dare them to say and do something out of their comfort zone. When this happens around other children, a kid may feel the need to prove themselves in order to not be considered as “weird” or “weak.”
• Indirect pressure – Some students may feel the inner need to fit in, only by seeing what others are doing. Even without being directly pressured into certain actions, they don’t want to stand out and appear different from the rest of the group.
• Verbal pressure – By not conforming to what others are doing, some adolescents can struggle with being verbally harassed and called names. To avoid feeling ashamed and bullied, children give in and engage in negative or immoral behavior.
• Cyber pressure – Even if children and teens develop in a positive school environment, they can still experience negative pressure online. By being exposed to explicit content and toxic influencers online, a child may feel the need to replicate certain harmful behaviors.

All these types of peer pressure can impact children at an early age and during their teenage years. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention not only to their relationships at school, but also to their activity on the internet.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects

The negative situation of being pressured by peers can affect children on many levels.

In the short-term, negative peer pressure can lead to stress, anxiety, academic struggles, mood swings, emotional distress, and behavioral changes like withdrawing.

On the other hand, the long-lasting effects of negative influence can decrease self confidence, cause identity confusion, cause substance abuse, and lead to making risky life decisions.

Sometimes, the bad influence can have immediate effects–but in some cases, the long-term impacts like changes in values, emotional struggles, and behavioral consequences may develop later on.

Warning Signs a Student Is Being Negatively Influenced

The first step to support children and protect them from negative pressure is by paying close attention to their actions and behavior. This may not always be easy, but the right warning signs can help us spot problems early on.

Here are the most important warning signs that a child may experience bad influence from their peers:

• Suddenly changing behavior – Radical changes in language, behavior, views on important topics can all be small telling signs that a child may be heavily influenced by their peers.
• Switching appearance or friend groups – If a child starts to spend time with a completely new group of peers, changing their style, appearance, or hobbies, it can signal that they are trying to fit in.
• Avoiding family and old friends – As a result of negative pressure from peers, children may often start avoiding old social circles, including their own family members.
• Dropping academic performance – When an adolescent starts engaging in negative behavior, it’s common to see them neglecting school, homework, and other chores that previously didn’t seem problematic.
• Moodiness, withdrawal, or aggression – Especially during teen years, negatively influenced children may show strong emotions, including mood swings, anxiety, emotional reactivity, which can exhibit signs of emotional distress.

All these telling signs are important clues that could signal negative peer pressure in a child. It’s vital to stay involved in a kids’ life, both inside and outside of school, so we have the highest chance of spotting these red flags early on.

The Role of Social Media in Amplifying Negative Peer Pressure

While the internet is a great tool for children to communicate, find new passions, and expand their horizons, social media can greatly amplify negative peer pressure, too. Seeing curated content that often shows only a small group of people can lead children to conform, making them believe that certain behaviors are normalized and widely accepted.

Not only that, viral online challenges and trends can push students to engage in risky and unsafe behaviors only to gain quick fame and followers. Furthermore, cyberbullying can be another major factor impacting children’s social and emotional development, causing them to feel more anxious and insecure.

Last, but not least–online platforms often blur the line between reality and perception. For example, children may find it hard to distinguish between a social media stunt and a real person’s actions. Hence why toxic influencers and negative role models can be so damaging to a young one’s worldview and psyche.

Why Some Students Are More Vulnerable to Peer Influence Than Others

Some students can be more susceptible to influence from their peers than others. That’s because they can have a deeper desire to be accepted and belong to a certain group.

These children may also feel less confident, struggling with self esteem. By engaging in harmful and risky activities, these adolescents try to find attention, acceptance, and new friends.

On the other hand, being vulnerable to negative peer pressure can stem from not having enough support from parents and family. Some children may substitute the lack of right role models with acceptance from their friends.

Children can also become susceptible to being pressured by not knowing how to foster independence and assertiveness. That’s why the parents and caretakers should set a goal to encourage critical thinking and moral awareness, even in younger kids.

Finally, adolescents may be more prone to negative peer pressure when they undergo certain transitions. For example, if a child moves to a new school mid-term, they may feel different from other children, looking for ways to prove themselves. Puberty is another common time when adolescents may try to find new peer groups, often unknowingly taking part in risky behaviors.

Strategies Schools Can Use to Address and Reduce Negative Peer Pressure

Because negative peer pressure usually occurs in the school environment, the teachers and school staff need to take extra precautions in order to promote healthy behaviors.

Below is a list of proven ways in which schools can address and reduce negative peer influence in children:

• Training staff to recognize negative peer pressure and intervene early – By receiving training from school counselors and psychologists, teachers can learn to spot early signs of peer conflict and distress, lowering the risk for bullying, emotional struggles and risky behavior.
• Creating peer-led programs and mentorships – Educational programs led by respectful mentors can help children form positive relationships and find inspiring role models, making sure they don’t fall for the negative influence from others.
• Creating safe spaces for open discussions – Encouraging open communication is a great way to help children talk about their problems. Such classes and discussions can lead to finding new perspectives, and seeing that other people value us for who we truly are, not for engaging in negative behavior.
• Encouraging diverse, inclusive student groups – By meeting children from different backgrounds, the school can help reduce isolation and ostracization in their students. Creating diverse groups also teaches adolescents that having unique character traits makes them special and valuable.

All these strategies for reducing negative peer pressure can play an important role in showing students that having their own opinions, values, and worldviews is essential. By encouraging positive peer pressure and educating children on dealing with negative behavior, we can greatly improve their self esteem, confidence, and mental health.

How Parents Can Support Children Facing Negative Peer Pressure

What to do when a kid faces negative peer pressure? This can be an uncomfortable situation for both the child and their parents, but there are a few actionable steps to take.

Here’s what parents can do to support their child in dealing with influence from peers:

• Listen without judgement – By asking open-ended questions about our children’s decisions, emotions, and actions, we can get a good grasp of their mindset. It’s crucial to never judge children who go through negative peer pressure, and instead listen with compassion and empathy.
• Teach them to say “no” – Teaching kids assertiveness and decision-making skills is the key to help them raise their inner confidence. By learning to say “no” to others, children will discover how to set boundaries and make decisions based on their values, instead of reacting under pressure.
• Monitor online activity – Supervising children’s activity on the internet can be a great way to sense what ideas and influences they see on a daily basis. However, it’s important to stay balanced and respect their privacy. Too much intervention in this area can backfire, making children potentially hide their online activity.
• Become a positive role model – By sharing their own experiences and values, parents can become the role models that their children truly need. Through their actions, adults can portray healthy behavior, making kids less prone to copying others.
• Involve children in healthy activities – Together, the family can brainstorm creative ways to help their loved ones find new hobbies and positive friend groups. By involving children in activities of their choice, parents can support them in finding close friends that will have similar interests and values.

All these parenting techniques can safeguard kids and adolescents from negative peer pressure. By encouraging critical thinking, helping them process emotions, and inviting new activities into children’s lives, we can create a sense of purpose and belonging.

Building Resilience and Assertiveness in Students

One great way to build emotional resilience and assertiveness in children is through role play. This can be a fun way to teach boundary-setting and refusal skills in a light-hearted environment. Such games can help students find their own values and affirm their true goals in life.

Other than that, parents and teachers can utilize the positive aspects of volunteering, practicing sports, and expressing emotions through art. These creative activities promote a sense of purpose and confidence while revealing the child’s unique strengths and advantages.

Students can also build their resilience through the practice of mindfulness and affirmations. These techniques help students manage stress, build emotional resilience, and positive self-talk while helping them gain self-awareness.

Peer Pressure vs. Peer Support: Encouraging Positive Influence 

When it comes to kids and adolescents, positive peer pressure can be a major factor in helping them with emotional development and academic achievement.

Collaborative projects, inclusive groups and positive role models all play their role in showing young ones that they’re valued for their differences.

While negative peer pressure relies on exploiting social fears including the fear of missing out, positive peer support thrives on encouraging uniqueness, assertiveness, and achieving one’s goals.

Children can find positive influence almost anytime during the school day. It could be their sports coach, an older sibling, or the compassionate teacher who’s heavily involved in the child’s development.

Conclusion: Creating a Safe and Empowering School Culture

While the school is greatly responsible for creating emotionally resilient children, so do their parents. It’s important to remember that a child’s differences should be celebrated, not ridiculed. By empowering students with positive influence, inspiring role models, and inclusive communities, we can support every child in truly thriving.

Even if a child experiences negative peer pressure at school, there are a multitude of ways to help them rebuild their confidence and self esteem without making them feel guilty. By fostering the right culture and having a solid backup plan, every parent and teacher can make sure that their children become proud of their own character, talents, and opinions.

We hope that these tips will help you get a better understanding of children’s brains and their development. For further guidance on mindfulness, mental health, and parenting, sign up for the free screening of the “Young & Thriving” docuseries. Inside the 10 empowering episodes, you will learn from 43 renowned functional medicine experts who decode kids’ symptoms and show natural protocols for mental resilience and optimal brain development.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does peer pressure affect students negatively?

When students experience negative peer pressure, their grades can drop, they may feel more anxious, and they may start to become more withdrawn from their family and old friends. Sometimes, children experiencing negative influence completely change their behavior, appearance, and opinions, which can impact their entire outlook on life.

What are 5 examples of negative peer pressure?

Depending on a child’s age, negative peer pressure can manifest in a number of ways. Some common examples of negative influence include drinking alcohol, drugs or substance use, skipping classes, bullying other children, and engaging in harmful social media challenges.

How does negative peer pressure affect teenagers?

When teenagers experience negative peer pressure, it’s typical for them to go through mood swings, anxiety, increased levels of stress, and engage in risky behavior particularly when social acceptance becomes a priority. This negative peer pressure can have long-term results on a teen’s mental health, lowering their self esteem, confidence, and even changing their worldview.

What causes negative peer pressure in schools?

Negative peer pressure can be a result of children’s low self esteem, lack of confidence, or their inner need to fit in. Other causes of negative influence include experiencing cyberbullying, not having the right role models in life, and feeling different in certain social groups (e.g. being new at school).