--- title: "Peer Pressure and Resisting It" description: "Recognise pressure from friends or other people their age to join in. Practise safe ways to refuse unsafe, unkind or unwanted actions, including leaving safely and asking a trusted adult for help." canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/peer-pressure-and-resisting-it-mt_JivEBTD_KV source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/peer-pressure-and-resisting-it-mt_JivEBTD_KV.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Peer Pressure and Resisting It Recognise pressure from friends or other people their age to join in. Practise safe ways to refuse unsafe, unkind or unwanted actions, including leaving safely and asking a trusted adult for help. Subject: Personal & Social Development · Area: Responsible Decision-Making · Ages 9 to 11 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/peer-pressure-and-resisting-it-mt_JivEBTD_KV ## Ready when they can - Define peer pressure in their own words and give a real-world example - Describe at least two strategies for resisting peer pressure, such as walking away or using humour - Explain how joining unsafe or unkind behaviour to fit in can cause harm or damage trust, and why giving in does not guarantee that pressure will stop ## Lesson: Peer Pressure and How to Resist It Peer pressure is influence from friends or other people your age that makes you feel pushed to join in. It can be spoken, such as teasing or saying, 'Everyone does it.' It can also be quiet: you may feel you must copy the group even when nobody asks. An invitation that accepts your answer without pushing is different from pressure. *(drawing: These are examples, not steps. Pressure can be spoken or felt without anyone asking.)* You can say, 'No thanks,' and keep doing your own task. Other choices include leaving safely, suggesting a safer activity, using a light joke that does not target anyone, or mentioning a real rule you follow. You do not owe a long explanation. If people keep pushing or you cannot leave safely, ask a trusted adult for help. You can call to a nearby adult. **Example.** Jordan's friends dare him to take a candy bar without paying. His stomach feels tight. That feeling is a reason to pause, but it does not prove that a choice is harmful. Jordan checks the action: taking the candy without paying would be stealing. A clear path leads to his caregiver nearby. He leaves the candy and walks to the caregiver. *(drawing: Jordan refuses the dare by leaving the candy and walking safely to his caregiver.)* Joining unsafe or unkind behaviour to fit in can hurt someone, break rules or damage trust. A spoken rumour can hurt someone even if it is never written down. Doing one dare does not guarantee that others will stop asking. You can change your mind and say no later. People applying pressure are responsible for their actions. If they keep pushing, ask a trusted adult for support. **Recap.** You can say no, leave safely and ask for help. You do not have to do something unsafe or unkind to prove you belong. ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Vocabulary: ethics and citizenship](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/vocabulary-ethics-and-citizenship-mt_h-z88yf9Pn) - [Water Safety](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/water-safety-mt_klF_Y8DraZ) - [Stop, Think, Then Choose](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/stop-think-then-choose-mt_RhntJz7p_6) - [Assertive Communication](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/assertive-communication-mt_rqLMfiw61L) - [Bystanders and Upstanders](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/bystanders-and-upstanders-mt_yCmYV9ruQu) ## Opens up - [Vaping, smoking and the decision in the moment](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/vaping-smoking-and-the-decision-in-the-moment-mt_0D_HAYKu7K) - [Ethical Frameworks and Moral Reasoning](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/ethical-frameworks-and-moral-reasoning-mt_LPYPuSaxv_)