Teen Friendships and Relationships (Ages 13-19): Healthy & Unhealthy Signs
Your Guide to Healthy Teen Relationships
As you navigate your teenage years, it is important to understand what makes relationships and friendships respectful and supportive, whether with friends, siblings or other family members, or romantic partners, and to recognize the signs of unhealthy behaviors. Sometimes, you might not realize when certain actions are unkind or controlling, or you might start to feel uneasy or unsure about how you’re being treated. Recognizing these signs is a key step in understanding what you deserve and how to build healthy, positive relationships.
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Healthy Relationships:
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Unhealthy Relationships
What are boundaries?
Boundaries are the limits you set about what is okay and not okay for you. For example, boundaries include how close someone can stand near you, what kind of touch you’re comfortable with, topics you’re willing to discuss, or how much time you want to spend with someone. When someone ignores your boundaries, it might look like they touch you when you're not comfortable, pressure you to do things you don’t want to, or invade your personal space without permission. Respecting boundaries means listening when you say "no" and honoring what makes you feel safe and comfortable. |
By learning these signs, you’ll be able to understand what makes a friendship healthy, and what to do if a friendship does not make you feel good or safe.
Remember:
Remember:
- Always talk to someone you trust if you are unsure about aan adult, school counselor, etc.). See resources below.
- Healthy relationships make you feel good about yourself.
- Unhealthy relationships can hurt your feelings and make you feel unsafe.
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Interested in learning more about healthy dating?
Explore Dating Health to further recognize the signs of a respectful and trusting relationship—and what to watch out for if things don't feel right. Understanding healthy dating can help you build strong, positive connections that support your well-being and happiness. |
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Need Help?
If you need help the resources below can provide you with support. In immediate danger
Teen Line
Love Is Respect
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
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A Note for Parents and Caregivers
Children learn about relationships by watching the adults around them. When you model respectful, caring, and healthy interactions with your friends, family, and others, you set a strong example for your children to follow. Here are some tips:
Important: If your own relationships involve disrespect, controlling behaviors, or emotional or physical hurt, your child may think that these behaviors are normal. This can increase the risk of them forming unhealthy relationships later, which might lead to emotional harm or abuse.
Remember: By fostering positive relationship habits at home, you help your children develop the skills they need to build safe, respectful, and loving connections with friends, classmates, and future partners.
Children learn about relationships by watching the adults around them. When you model respectful, caring, and healthy interactions with your friends, family, and others, you set a strong example for your children to follow. Here are some tips:
- Show respect, kindness, and honesty in your relationships.
- Communicate openly and listen actively.
- Manage conflicts calmly and respectfully.
- Set boundaries and respect others’ boundaries.
- Support your child's interests and goals.
Important: If your own relationships involve disrespect, controlling behaviors, or emotional or physical hurt, your child may think that these behaviors are normal. This can increase the risk of them forming unhealthy relationships later, which might lead to emotional harm or abuse.
Remember: By fostering positive relationship habits at home, you help your children develop the skills they need to build safe, respectful, and loving connections with friends, classmates, and future partners.
