{"id":584,"date":"2024-04-01T19:56:43","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T19:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/?page_id=584"},"modified":"2026-09-05T17:54:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T17:54:57","slug":"riskikaitumine","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/riskikaitumine\/","title":{"rendered":"What is risk behavior?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.rk-toc{background:#f6f2ea;border-radius:16px;padding:22px 24px;margin:24px 0 40px}\n.rk-toc .lbl{font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.07em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8a8474;margin-bottom:12px}\n.rk-toc ol{margin:0;padding:0 0 0 20px}\n.rk-toc li{margin-bottom:7px}\n.rk-toc a{font-size:14.5px;font-weight:600;color:#26241e;text-decoration:none}\n.rk-toc a:hover{color:#B5710A;text-decoration:underline}\n.rk-stats{display:flex;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 0 40px}\n.rk-stat{flex:1;min-width:220px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:16px;padding:24px 22px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)}\n.rk-stat .num{font-size:34px;font-weight:700;color:#B5710A;line-height:1;margin-bottom:8px}\n.rk-stat .desc{font-size:14px;color:#4a4638;line-height:1.5}\n.rk-stat .src{font-size:11.5px;color:#8a8474;margin-top:10px;padding-top:10px;border-top:1px dashed #e2ddd0}\n.rk-stat .src a{color:#8a8474}\n.rk-quote{display:flex;gap:20px;align-items:center;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:18px;padding:26px;margin:28px 0 40px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)}\n.rk-quote img{width:76px;height:76px;border-radius:50%;object-fit:cover;flex:none;margin:0}\n.rk-quote p{font-size:17px;font-weight:500;color:#26241e;line-height:1.45;margin:0 0 8px;font-style:italic}\n.rk-quote cite{font-style:normal;font-size:13px;color:#8a8474}\n.rk-depth{display:flex;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 0 16px}\n.rk-depth div{flex:1;min-width:150px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:14px;padding:18px 16px}\n.rk-depth .ic{font-size:20px;margin-bottom:8px}\n.rk-depth h4{font-size:14.5px;margin:0 0 6px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-depth p{font-size:12.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0;line-height:1.5}\n.rk-link-card{background:#fff6e8;border-radius:16px;padding:22px 24px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 0 36px}\n.rk-link-card h4{font-size:15.5px;margin:0 0 4px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-link-card p{font-size:13.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0}\n.rk-link-card a{flex:none;background:#B5710A;color:#fff;font-size:13.5px;font-weight:600;padding:10px 18px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap}\n.rk-principle{background:#FDEBCB;border-radius:10px;padding:14px 16px;font-size:14px;font-style:italic;color:#26241e;margin:14px 0 18px}\n.rk-faq{margin-top:8px}\n.rk-faq .wp-block-aioseo-faq{background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:14px;padding:20px 22px;margin:0 0 12px;display:block}\n.rk-faq .aioseo-faq-block-question{font-size:16px;margin:0 0 8px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-faq .aioseo-faq-block-question::before{content:\"?\";color:#B5710A;margin-right:8px;font-weight:700}\n.rk-faq .aioseo-faq-block-answer p{font-size:14.5px;margin:0;color:#4a4638;line-height:1.6}\n.rk-next{background:#fff6e8;border-radius:20px;padding:38px 32px;margin:32px 0 8px;text-align:center}\n.rk-next h2{font-size:22px;margin:0 0 8px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-next>p{font-size:14.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0 0 24px}\n.rk-next-cards{display:flex;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center}\n.rk-next-cards a{flex:1;min-width:200px;max-width:250px;background:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:24px 20px;text-decoration:none;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)}\n.rk-next-cards .ic{width:44px;height:44px;border-radius:50%;background:#FDEBCB;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;margin:0 auto 12px;font-size:19px}\n.rk-next-cards h4{font-size:15px;color:#26241e;margin:0 0 5px}\n.rk-next-cards p{font-size:12.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0}\n@media (max-width:600px){.rk-quote{flex-direction:column;text-align:center}}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#B5710A;margin:0 0 22px\">Explanation \u00b7 Risk behavior<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This overview explains, <strong>What does risky behavior mean in adolescence?<\/strong>, or when is it a normal stage of development and when does it become a cause for concern. Risk, risks or risky behavior is something that is usually associated with negative thoughts and feelings. However, this should not always be the case, as risk behavior can also be seen as a necessary developmental stage of adolescence. Teenagers&#039; interest in new experiences, including taking various risks, is a natural and important developmental task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:14px;color:#8a8474\">Are you looking for a general definition of the word or adult risk behavior? This page focuses specifically on teenage behavior and how parents and professionals can respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-toc\">\n<div class=\"lbl\">Table of contents<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#millal\">When does risky behavior become dangerous?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#tunnused\">Signs of high-risk behavior<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#miks\">Why does risk behavior occur?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#ennetus\">How to prevent escalation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#kkk\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abi\">Need help?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-stats\">\n<div class=\"rk-stat\">\n<div class=\"num\">566<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">A young person required treatment for intentional self-harm in 2024.<\/div>\n<div class=\"src\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/et.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Enesevigastamine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wikipedia, \u201cSelf-harm\u201d<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rk-stat\">\n<div class=\"num\">~4000<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">The crime was committed by young people in Estonia in 2024.<\/div>\n<div class=\"src\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justdigi.ee\/media\/4951\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Estonian National Defense Academy Criminal Policy Research Center, Brief Analysis No. 1\/2024<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"millal\">When does risky behavior become dangerous?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By pushing boundaries and taking risks, teenagers develop independence and can grow and develop through this. This can be a difficult time for the adults around them, but it is important to remember that this is a sign of their healthy development and that teenagers are designed to seek independence and freedom. At the same time, it is important that risk-taking behavior remains socially acceptable and does not become serious, where the outcomes of the risk-taking behavior are uncertain or have increasingly serious consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Risk-taking behavior changes from a socially acceptable normal developmental stage to a worrying risk-taking behavior when teenagers begin to take risks that <strong>endanger their safety and\/or the safety of others, and these risks may have long-term lasting consequences.<\/strong> This is high-risk behaviour. High-risk behaviour can have a detrimental effect on the well-being, health and development of the young person, as well as the well-being and health of others. It affects the young person&#039;s physical and mental health, the development of social skills and their future prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tunnused\">High-risk behavior includes, for example:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Constant use of substances of pleasure (smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use)<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Violent behavior towards other people (both mental and physical violence)<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Breaking property<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Car theft<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Self-harm (e.g., constant cutting, scratching, burning)<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Suicide attempts<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Bullying<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Constant neglect of school obligations<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Constant overnight stays away from home<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Sexual risk behavior (unsafe sex, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-quote\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/436226640_2495988303920202_4491462863490071306_n.jpg\" alt=\"Enelis Linnas\">\n<blockquote style=\"margin:0;border:none;padding:0\">\n<p>\u201cI truly believe that every young person can be helped if we truly listen to them, identify their needs, address the root causes of their behavior, offer support, and at the same time support the adults around them.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Enelis Linnas, founder and board member of MT\u00dc Sa Suudad<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"miks\">Why does risk behavior occur?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Risk behavior rarely has a single cause. It is usually the result of a combination of factors, at multiple levels at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-depth\">\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83e\uddcd<\/div><h4>Individual<\/h4><p>Traumatic experiences, special needs, low self-esteem<\/p><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83d\udc6a<\/div><h4>Family<\/h4><p>Family relationships, supervision, parenting style<\/p><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udfeb<\/div><h4>School<\/h4><p>Bullying, teacher relationships, curriculum suitability<\/p><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83e\udd1d<\/div><h4>Peers<\/h4><p>The spirit of the Kamba, the search for recognition, the environment<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rk-link-card\">\n<div><h4>A complete overview of all four levels<\/h4><p>Along with specific steps to take at each level.<\/p><\/div>\n<a href=\"\/en\/miks\/\">Read in depth \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ennetus\">Preventing escalation of risky behavior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Low self-esteem can lead to riskier behavior, so it&#039;s important to work on developing a child&#039;s positive self-esteem from an early age. This will help them build relationships and make good decisions later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to talk about making safe choices when adults are not present and to give clear signals that it is safe to let them know when they need help and that they will not be punished for seeking help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-principle\">\u201cI ask that you make safe choices and take care of yourself. However, if you should find yourself in a situation where you or your friends are in an unsafe situation, I want you to reach out to me for help. I promise that I will not make you regret seeking my help.\u201d<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Young people don&#039;t always use the best judgment when with their friends, so it&#039;s helpful to plan with them in advance how they will behave when risky opportunities arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-principle\">\u201cThe question is not whether you will get caught or not \u2013 most likely not \u2013 the main question is whether you can get hurt. It is your job to take good care of yourself and if you don\u2019t, it is my job to step in to help you do so.\u201d<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When talking to a young person about taking risks, you should not threaten punishment, because this will direct the young person&#039;s attention to how to avoid getting caught, rather than engaging in risky behavior at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-link-card\">\n<div><h4>Practical communication principles for working with young people<\/h4><p>Specific keywords for establishing a trusted contact.<\/p><\/div>\n<a href=\"\/en\/mida-teha\/\">Read practical advice \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"kkk\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-faq\">\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">Is my child just a teenager or is this worrying risk behavior?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seeking new experiences and testing boundaries is a normal part of adolescence. Risk-taking behavior becomes a concern when it endangers the safety of the young person or others and has long-term lasting consequences, such as persistent substance use, self-harm, or persistent truancy, rather than an isolated experiment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">How to talk to a young person about risks without punishing them?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid threatening punishment if they get caught, as this will focus on avoiding getting caught, not on safety. Make it clear that the goal is their well-being, for example: \u201cIt\u2019s not about whether you\u2019ll get caught, it\u2019s about whether you\u2019ll get hurt.\u201d Plan ahead with them how they will handle risky situations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">What to do if a young person is already behaving at high risk?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, look for the causes of the behavior, not just the symptoms. Establish a trusting relationship, avoid blaming, and consistently stay by the young person&#039;s side, regardless of how they behave. If necessary, contact a specialist or an experienced confidant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">Does risky behavior mean there is something wrong with me as a parent?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Risky behavior usually has multiple interacting causes, at the individual, family, school, and peer levels, rather than one clear culprit. What matters most is what is done next: whether the young person receives consistent support and understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-next\" id=\"abi\">\n<h2>Need help or want to know more?<\/h2>\n<p>Depending on whether you are looking for urgent help, support for a young person, or training for your team.<\/p>\n<div class=\"rk-next-cards\">\n<a href=\"\/en\/vajan-abi\/\"><div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udd98<\/div><h4>I need help.<\/h4><p>Quick contacts and help options<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"\/en\/kup\/\"><div class=\"ic\">\ud83e\udd1d<\/div><h4>KUP<\/h4><p>Experienced Trustee Program<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"\/en\/koolitused\/\"><div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udf93<\/div><h4>Trainings<\/h4><p>For professionals and parents<\/p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Selgitus \u00b7 Riskik\u00e4itumine See \u00fclevaade selgitab, mida t\u00e4hendab riskik\u00e4itumine noorukieas, ehk millal on tegu tavap\u00e4rase arenguetapiga ja millal muutub see murettekitavaks. Risk, riskid v\u00f5i riskik\u00e4itumine on midagi, mis tavaliselt seondub negatiivsete m\u00f5tete ja tunnetega. See aga ei tohiks alati olla nii, sest riskik\u00e4itumist v\u00f5ib n\u00e4ha ka noorukiea vajaliku arenguetapina. Teismeliste huvi uute kogemuste vastu, sh&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/riskikaitumine\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More \u00bb<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What is risk behavior?<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-584","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=584"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/584\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4366,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/584\/revisions\/4366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}