Alcohol

Teenagers and alcohol: how do I talk to my child about drinking?

Written by the Kids by Molliora editorial team, based on the sources below. Last updated: 30 October 2026

Short answer

Most year 9 students in Sweden have not drunk alcohol in the past year: in 2025, 36% of year 9 students and 67% of upper secondary year 2 students said they had drunk alcohol in the past 12 months (CAN). The teenage brain keeps developing until about age 25, and alcohol can affect memory, concentration and impulse control. Starting young also raises the risk of dependence (Systembolaget). Giving your teenager alcohol yourself does not protect them: in a study of 1,927 Australian teenagers, those given alcohol by their parents were more likely to binge drink a year later (Mattick et al. 2018). The UK Chief Medical Officer advises that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest option. If someone is so drunk they cannot be woken, call 112 (1177).

Fact	What applies	Source
Drank alcohol in the past 12 months, Sweden 2025	36% in year 9 and 67% in upper secondary year 2	CAN
Drank alcohol before age 14	16% of year 9 students in 2025, up from 11% in 2017	CAN
Age limits in Sweden	20 at Systembolaget. 18 at restaurants and bars, and 18 for low-alcohol beer (folköl)	Systembolaget, Polisen
Buying for or giving to under-20s	Illegal for strong beer, wine and spirits. Punishable by fines or prison	Polisen
Alcohol from parents	Teenagers given alcohol only by their parents had about 2.6 times the odds of binge drinking a year later	Mattick et al. 2018
Someone cannot be woken	Call 112. If they breathe normally, put them in the recovery position. Never leave them alone	1177

Why alcohol is riskier for teenagers

The brain develops intensively up to about age 25, and the front parts mature last. That is where memory, concentration, planning and impulse control sit. Alcohol makes it harder to learn new things and makes a teenager more likely to rush into situations, which raises the risk of accidents and fights (Systembolaget).

Drinking young also increases the risk of dependence, compared with waiting a few years. Alcohol can lead to anxiety and low mood, and feeling low can in turn make young people drink more (Systembolaget).

In the 2025 Swedish school survey, the most common problems students had after drinking were ruined things or clothes, arguments, and being photographed or filmed in an embarrassing or offensive situation. More girls reported problems with parents and friends, and more boys had driven a motor vehicle or got into a fight (CAN).

Does a little at home teach them to drink sensibly?

The research does not support that. An Australian study followed 1,927 teenagers from the age of about 13 for six years. Those given alcohol only by their parents had about 2.6 times the odds of binge drinking the next year, and similar raised odds of alcohol-related harm, compared with those not given alcohol. There was no sign that alcohol from parents protected them, and alcohol from other sources carried even higher risk (Mattick et al. 2018).

The UK Chief Medical Officer advises that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option, and that if children drink at all, it should not be before age 15 (UK CMO).

The most common way teenagers get alcohol is through older friends or siblings buying it for them. That is one reason Sweden keeps the age limit at 20 at Systembolaget (Systembolaget).

How to talk about it

Talk about you: start with “I feel” or “I think” rather than an interrogation, and try to see both sides (Systembolaget).
Be clear: clear expectations and rules give security. Tell your teenager what you think about alcohol and why (Systembolaget).
Stay calm: anger and criticism close the conversation. Staying calm makes it easier for your teenager to be honest with you (Systembolaget).
Make it everyday: short talks in the car or at dinner work better than one big talk (Systembolaget).
Talk to other parents: get in touch with your child’s friends’ parents, so more of you know what is happening (Polisen).

Parties and weekends

School endings and holidays such as Walpurgis Night, Midsummer and Halloween are times when the police ask parents to be extra alert. Talk about parties and late nights, never buy alcohol for teenagers, and be ready to go and pick your child up during the evening (Polisen).

The police can pour out alcohol and call the parents of anyone under 18 who is drunk, has alcohol or is with someone who has alcohol. If the parents will not come, the police inform social services in writing (Polisen).

Agree with your child that they can always call you, whatever has happened. Contacting a parent or another trusted adult is always better than trying to handle a difficult or dangerous situation alone (1177).

Try this week

Ask your teenager this week what they think about alcohol, and listen before you share your view.
Agree on a rule together: “Call me and I will come and get you, no questions that night.”
Message your child’s friends’ parents before the next party or holiday weekend.

When to get help

Call 112 if someone cannot be woken, is hard to wake, has trouble breathing or has seizures (1177). Check their breathing while you wait. If they breathe normally, put them in the recovery position. If they are not breathing, start CPR (1177). Do not make them vomit (1177). Never leave a drunk person alone (1177).

If you are worried about your teenager’s drinking, contact school health services (elevhälsan), a youth clinic (ungdomsmottagning) or social services (1177). If you suspect someone is buying alcohol for young people, call the police on 114 14 (Polisen). Read more in our guide on vapes and nicotine pouches.