Students are influenced by peers because they want to fit in, be like peers they admire, and to do what others are doing. Peer pressure is not something new; it’s been around for generations. All students are pressured by others in some sort of way even if they don’t recognize it.
According to Pew Research Center in 2025, “By far the biggest source of pressure for teens is their grades. Roughly seven-in-ten teens (68%) say they face a great deal or fair amount of pressure to get good grades.” The article also stated “A third say they feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to be physically strong. The same percent also feel pressure to be involved in extracurricular activities. And 31% say they feel pressure to be good at sports.”
Current Trends Regarding Peer Pressure
Junior Riley Norrholm acknowledged that peer pressure is something that teens must deal with, but she believes that it is more widely experienced in the years leading up to high school. She said, “Peer pressure is a big thing in middle school, because people are trying to find who they are and their friends. However, in high school people have found themselves more and are less likely to fall to peer pressure.Therefore I feel peer pressure is lower in high school.”
However, many students disagree with Norrholm and feel that it is a larger concern for older students. According to sophomore Landen Walters, “In the high school level, peer pressure happens a lot throughout the school year. Many times I have seen people fall for drinking/vaping, in school and outside of school just so they can fit in better. People get encouraged to do stuff so they can fit in, and I have witnessed people fall for peer pressure by others and regret it afterwards.”
Many high school teachers also acknowledge seeing more peer pressure amongst students. Shane Rathbun who has taught for 10 years explained, “I believe that peer pressure is prominent in certain circles. I observe most situations more often in between classes. I have also heard through conversations of students who have done things like vaping or drinking simply because they were in an environment where it was occurring, and they didn’t want to be made fun of. I believe that peer pressure can have a higher risk of depression, can lead to health related issues, both mental and physical, and will almost always leave the student with a constant sense of being accepted socially.”
Experts have said that peer pressure often occurs as a way for an individual to feel more accepted. Norrhold agrees with this idea and said she believes people pressure others, “so they can almost have validation for doing the certain activity that they are doing because they know maybe it isn’t the best idea.”
The Impact of Social Media on Peer Pressure
Is social media leading to more peer pressure amongst kids? This is a question that continues to come up as more and more teens use social media. Many students have faced others asking to send certain videos or the communication over the phone is different from what happens in person.
According to Science Direct in 2023, “Many adolescents face pressure when it comes to securing social media attention in the form of views, comments and/or likes on their posted content. The purpose of this study was to examine how this pressure impacts adolescents’ current relationships with friends in addition to their mental health over time.”
Norrholm said, “I think peer pressure happens more on social media and over the phone, because people are more comfortable saying things over the phone and they almost are less likely to have the person say no.”
Ways to Reduce or Handle Peer Pressure
In today’s world, there is no real way to totally stop peer pressure. Students will have to learn over time and with experience what works best for them. Walters explains, “Peer pressure will still happen outside of high school but I think in some ways it will be different. People will be going to parties more and could get convinced into doing things there. I also think that once you get older you will be able to stand up for yourself more, and do what you want to do.”
“I believe it is important to me, as a parent and teacher, to be aware of who kids hang out with. Knowing as many kids as possible and knowing their tendencies will help me to give sound unbiased advise to any student who might be thinking about something they are being pressured to do,” said Rathbun.
Norrholm believes the approach to reduce peer pressure is this: “Just tell people to be themselves and not have other people tell them what to do and to trust their judgement.”
