Relationships & Family

Why Gen Z teens are drinking less – and what’s really driving the shift

New US data shows a sharp drop in teen drinking compared with the late 1990s, but the reasons go far beyond a simple health kick. Shifting social lives, social media pressures, body optimisation trends and money worries are all reshaping how Gen Z approaches alcohol. Parents, carers and teens can use these insights to better understand changing habits and support healthier, more balanced choices.