Getting teens to open up can be tough, but that doesn’t mean they won’t.Â
We created these Ethical Dilemma Conversations Starters for Teens to help you have meaningful talks with your teen, but without it feeling like you’re giving a lecture. Whether it’s about honesty, loyalty, peer pressure, or being responsible online, these real-life scenarios get teens thinking critically (and compassionately) about situations they face every day.
Imagine your teen reflecting on questions like:
- A friend starts copying your answers on a test. Do you stop her, tell the teacher, or ignore it?
- Would you say anything if you knew a teacher graded your work incorrectly and gave you a higher grade than you deserved?Â
- If a friend lied to her parents and asked you to cover for her, would you?
How to Use These Conversations Starters for Teens:
Pick one question at a time. No need to rush through them. Spend time talking through the scenario.
Ask during relaxed moments, like driving your teen to practice or at the dinner table. (With a few tweaks, these questions can also work for younger siblings.)
Before sharing your perspective, listen to what your teen thinks. Give your teen the space to process the question without your response influencing the answer.
Encourage discussion, not judgment. Your teen’s answer might surprise you. But even an unexpected answer can lead to deeper insights into how your child thinks and steps you can take to support character development.
Revisit past questions to see if your teen’s thinking has evolved. Your teen is still learning and growing. So, while she might answer a question one way at 14 years old, life experience (and your parenting!) might lead her to respond differently at 16.
Your teen’s decisions are shaped by your conversations with them. So, download your free printable today and start turning everyday moments into powerful, character-building conversations.Â
By the way, you might like these other conversations starters for teens: How to Talk to Your Teen about Peer Pressure, How to Talk to Your Child About Drugs and Alcohol, or Waiting for Sex Conversation Starters. Download our Q&U app for all these and more!
