Underage Drinking Social Media Plan – right click images to download.

Week 1 – Youth: The Developing Brain 

Post Copy – All Platforms: The prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for planning, impulse control, and decision-making – doesn’t fully mature until around age 25. Drinking during this critical period can have long-term consequences for cognitive development.

#agematters #delayfirstuse #braindevelopment #underagedrinking

Post Copy – All Platforms:  The brain changes significantly during adolescence. If teens drink alcohol – it interferes with brain development and increases their risk for addiction. Talking to your kids and delaying the first use of alcohol is crucial – when is the last time you spoke with your child about underage drinking?

#underagedrinking #alcoholmisuse #alcohol #parenting #talkaboutit

Post Copy – All Platforms: It is never too early to talk to your children about alcohol and other addictive drugs. Talking early and often about alcohol helps protect the developing brain and reduces the likelihood of underage drinking. You don’t have to say everything at once. Just start the conversation — they hear you. 

#agematters #delayfirstuse #braindevelopment #underagedrinking #youthprevention #healthybrains #protectourfuture #talktheyhearyou 

Week 2 – The Truth About Underage Drinking 

Post Copy – All Platforms:  According to the Missouri Student Survey, 50.2% of Missouri highschoolers say it is easy to get alcohol, if they want it. If you have alcohol in your home, make sure it is stored safely. Let people in your child’s life know that you do not want them to drink. Underage drinking is not just a harmless curiosity — youth who start drinking before age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder later in life.  

#agematters #delayfirstuse #braindevelopment #underagedrinking #SAMSHA 

Post Copy – All Platforms: Kids need to know the facts about alcohol and other drugs. Most teens choose not to drink alcohol. Talk about the potential damage to their brain and the risk of addiction from underage drinking and other substance use with your teen – and let them know: most of their peers say not thanks to alcohol.

#TalkAboutItMO #TheTruthAboutUnderageDrinking #MissouriYouth #UnderageDrinkingPrevention #DelayFirstUse #HealthyChoices 

Post Copy – All Platforms: Early conversations make a difference! Youth who talk with parents and caregivers about alcohol are significantly less likely to drink underage. You don’t need a perfect speech. You just need to start — because when you talk, they hear you.

#agematters #delayfirstuse #braindevelopment #underagedrinking #youthprevention #healthybrains #protectourfuture #talktheyhearyou #truth