How to Help a Teen Deal With Gossiping
Gossip can be ignored, but the impact of what is said often can't be overlooked or forgotten. Gossip can affect the way a teen acts and behaves, as well as his long-term self esteem. If you sense your teen is gossiping or being affected by gossip, help him deal with it from an adult perspective.
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Instructions
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Stop Teens From Gossiping
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Put an end to gossip in your house by imposing a no-gossip rule with your teen.
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Remind your teen about the damage that gossip causes. Whether intentional or not, there is always a victim of gossip. If you can point out that what he is saying hurts others, he may be more considerate when talking about his friends.
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Be a strong role model for your teen. Show your teen that you don't participate in or approve of gossip.
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Ask your teen to think about how he would feel if the same thing he was saying about others was being said about him.
Find Out if Your Teen Is Involved in the Gossip
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Monitor your son's computer usage. If you suspect your teen is involved in gossip, check the computer chat logs. Teens tend to use computers to spread rumors because they feel less responsible for what is being said.
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Approach the situation gently when you try to help. If you come off too harshly, you may impact your child's willingness to talk to you about the gossip taking place.
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Watch your teen's friendships closely. If you observe things suddenly changing, there may be more to the story than what you are being told.
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Help your teen understand that she is affecting her own friendships by gossiping. She may not be happy if she loses her friends because she is spreading rumors about other girls.
Show Positive Ways for Teens to Deal With Gossip
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Encourage your teen to display morally unquestionable behavior. If girls are talking about her, she can deal with it by demonstrating behavior that contradicts the untrue rumors.
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Tell your teen to make sure who his real friends are. He should only share secrets or sensitive personal information with those friends who have proven their trustworthiness.
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Instruct your teen to avoid being an audience to those who gossip. By refusing to participate in the cycle of gossip, she can avoid becoming a target or hurting someone else.
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Tips & Warnings
Encourage your teen to combat gossiping by taking control of her life. Help her find an activity that makes her feel strong and confident--for example, a martial art like karate or a sport like basketball or soccer.
