Influence is the ability to affect one's behavouir, character and development. As children are still growing they are vulnerable to the influence of peers, education, social media etc…

Influence and peer pressure has been proven to benefit children through their teenage years and in some cases inspire them to try new activities they don’t necessarily have a passion or interest in. However, influence and peer pressure have also proven to have negative effects on the development of young people, their mindsets, views and opinions etc…

Social influence is a psychological theory that explores that people are more likely to do things thatpeople view as normalized, as well as people being more accepting of changing their behaviours to suit those around them.

Children and young people are able to be influenced more easily as they are going through adolescence, this therefore exposes them to different things which can have positive or negative effects on their lives. Activities such as indulging in  smoking, drugs and alcohol whilst in adolenscent years can cause drastic changes within one's lifestyle, health and behaviours  and in most cases go on to affect those around them. By young people part-taking in the uses of these substances and going on to encourage it, a chain reaction of influence and persuasion is created. 

Children and teenagers, ages 10-14, are proven to be the most easily influenced age group as they are unconsciensly fearful of being different due to society’s response to difference, which produces emotional insecurity. Young people all wish to fit into their environment and be accepted and welcomed. 

The power of influence and peer pressure is something which should be seen as more important than it currently is, as it can lead to trends within groups/communities of young people which can have huge impacts on larger amounts of people.