Parents: Facts You Need to Know

• Moms, dads and grandparents are the most trusted sources of information for 9- to 13-year olds.
• The majority of children age 9 to 13 do not use alcohol. They tend to believe that many of their peers are using alcohol, according to surveys, but it’s not true.
• The belief in the harm associated with alcohol use goes up between 4th grade and 6th grade. In the transition from 6th to 9th grade, students' beliefs that alcohol use is harmful decreases.
• Children ages 9 to 11 are:
  
  • meeting many more people through school and activities then they did when they were younger
    
  • improving in their ability to cooperate with peers and adults
    
  • improving with their ability to plan ahead.
• Children ages 12 to 13:
  
  • gain more independence from their family
    
  • place great importance on having friends and being with friends
    
  • get better at thinking about abstract ideas
    
  • improve at judging accomplishments and past behavior
    
  • improve at telling the difference between fantasy and reality.
• The vast majority of adults in America are concerned about underage alcohol use. They support measures to help reduce underage alcohol use, such as stricter controls on alcohol sales, advertising, and promotion.