Parenting tips for older teenagers: 15-19 years

Growing up together: parenting through the later teen years

A teenage girl and her mother hold hands
UNICEF/UNI596855/Hafiz Asad

Trust, support, and the road to adulthood — welcome to the older teenage years! 🛵🧑‍🎓💭

As your teenager starts to make big life decisions, it can feel like they’re growing up overnight. This can be both exciting and challenging for parents. 

Your role now is about guidance, not control: building trust, offering support, and helping them gain the confidence and skills they need to become capable, responsible adults. 

Here you'll find tips from UNICEF experts on understanding your teen, communicating openly, and guiding them through big life choices and challenges. 

Some essentials from the experts

How to help your teenage daughter succeed

How parents can help daughters build bright futures and achieve their dreams

Read now

Teens and risky behaviour

How to support your teen while helping them to stay safe

Read now

Bullying: What is it and how to stop it

How to prevent and deal with bullying

Read now

Ultra‑Processed Food vs Healthy Food: A Parent’s Guide

Ultra-processed food can harm children — how to spot it and swap it for healthy meals

Read now

Positive parenting vs. Strict parenting

What parenting style works best for children — and how to change yours

Read now

11 tips for communicating with your teen

How to approach conversations with empathy and understanding

Read now

How can I protect my child from air pollution?

Expert tips for parents to protect children from breathing toxic air

Read now

Road safety tips

Expert advice for protecting your family

Read now

Mental health

Talking about mental health: 14–18 years

How to tackle emotional, behavioural and health risks that could influence the rest of their lives

Read now

What I wish my mom knew back then

A teen’s mental health guide for parents

Read more

Busted: 7 myths about mental health

Separating fact from fiction

Read now

Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health

Show your teen love and care, while looking after yourself

Read now

Mental health explained

Learn about common mental health terms and conditions and how to support your family’s well-being

Read now

When to help your teen find mental health support

Learn about the warning signs and how to guide your child

Read now

Climate anxiety

Mental health experts’ advice on coping with worries about climate change

Read now

What are eating disorders?

Learn about eating disorders and what parents should watch out for

Watch now

Life online

Teen mental health and social media

We asked mental health experts how they approach social media in their families

Read now

Supporting your child through a negative online experience

5 steps to respond and help support your child

Read now

Keeping your child safe online: 5 top tips for parents

Answers to your FAQs on keeping your children and young people safe on the internet

Learn more

Online privacy checklist for parents

How to protect your child’s identity and personal information online

Read now