Talking to your children about alcohol

Should I teach my child about alcohol by giving them a small sip?

Some people think it makes sense to give their children a small sip of alcohol to teach them about responsible drinking.

However, there is no evidence that by offering children small sips of alcohol this protects them against later binge or problem drinking.

Instead, studies have shown that its the attitudes parents have towards responsible drinking - and the way they model and practice this themselves - that makes a difference. Studies have shown that where parents actively discuss the pros and cons of alcohol and are open with their children about the effects of drinking and their concerns, there is less likelihood of children drinking riskily later in life.


Some key messages to give younger children about alcohol:

  • Drinking too much alcohol can make you ill
  • Lots of people don’t drink alcohol


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Parents should reinforce the following messages to their teenage children:


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