A confident ‘no thanks’ or ‘not for me’
Peer pressure and fitting in
When your mates pressure you to do or go along with something you don’t like, it’s a form of peer pressure. We've got tips and info to help you out in these tricky situations.
Peer pressure is something we all have to deal with
It’s okay to feel confused or struggle with peer pressure. Everybody faces it at some point in their lives.
By learning how to identify peer pressure you’ll get better at dealing with it
Standing up to peer pressure takes practice and courage – it can be scary at first
No matter how pressured you feel, you always have the option of saying ‘no’
You might have friends who enjoy taking risks or trying new things - it doesn’t mean you have to do it too
"I was being peer pressured to be mean to one of my friends... I knew it wasn't right and I felt awful that I was doing this to one of my closest friends."
–Josh, Grade 10
There are lots of situations where you might feel pressured to join in, even when you don’t want to
Here are some situations where you might feel pressured to follow your mates:
Taking drugs or drinking alcohol
Having sex
Sexting
Shoplifting or stealing
Skipping school
Driving without a licence
Cheating on tests
Copying somebody else’s work
Dressing or acting a certain way
Not being friends with someone
It isn’t easy saying ‘no’ when you’re being pressured by your mates
You might be scared they won’t like you or want to be your friend anymore.
It takes practice standing up to peer pressure and being true to yourself.
Try these tips for staying strong and not giving into peer pressure:
Using humour to deflect pressure or attention
Move away from the situation
Be direct and say you don’t appreciate feeling pressured
Get support and talk to someone you trust
Know what you’re willing to let slide and what you’re not okay with
"They made me do things I didn't want to do. I felt anxious, pressured and lonely."
Everybody experiences peer pressure at some point in their lives.
If you’re feeling pressured to go along with your mates and aren’t sure what to do, we can help you figure it out.
This content was last reviewed 14/02/2018
Check these out too:
Drugs and Alcohol
You might see your friends experimenting with drugs and alcohol and it’...
READ MESexting
If you own a smartphone you’ve probably heard of sexting. It’...
READ MEDeveloping a positive body image
If you sometimes judge yourself and feel uncomfortable in your own body, ...
READ MEBullying
Bullying is never ok. It’s hurtful and can impact someone for ...
READ MEMeet your people!
Want to talk to others just like you?
Join My Circle - your safe, free and private online peer support group for 12-25 year olds
Talking helps! We’re here for you.
No problem is too big or too small.
We're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
