Sustained Reductions in Children's Risk Taking from Peer-Communicated Behavioral Safety Norms

Abstract

Objective This research examined whether the positive effects of a peer-communicated social norm that reduces risk-taking behaviors persist over time and if a reminder of this peer-communicated safety message has any impact on this outcome. Methods Positive mood in 7- to 9-year olds was induced experimentally and risk taking intentions and behaviors were measured when the child was in a positive and neutral mood state and after they had been exposed to either a safety or neutral peer-communicated social norm message. A few weeks later, half of the participants who experienced the safety social norm message were exposed to a reminder of this message via a slogan and risk-taking measures were taken again when in a heightened positive mood state. Results Exposure to a safety norm successfully counteracted the increase in risk taking associated with a positive mood state. These effects persisted for several weeks regardless of whether the children were exposed to a reminder. Conclusion Manipulating peer social norms holds promise as an approach to produce reductions in children’s risk taking and these effects persist at least over several weeks.

Can exposure to framed messages about safety reduce risk behaviours by school-age children?

“…For example, when children overhear unfamiliar peers having conversations that encourage or discourage risk taking in a play situation, this is effective to evoke behaviour consistent with these opinions when youth are subsequently in the play situation (Morrongiello, McArthur, et al, 2013). Moreover, messaging by unfamiliar peers that communicates behavioural norms supporting the avoidance of risk behaviours (e.g., Most children would not … ) has proven effective to reduce risk-taking decisions among youth, and these effects of norms on risk taking are sustained over time (Morrongiello et al, 2020). The present study extends these past findings in several important ways.…”