Well, shoplifting is on the rise across the country, with retail theft surging by forty eight percent in Queens and fifty percent in Wa and a saggering ninety percent in Victoria.

Well, shoplifting is on the rise across the country, with retail theft surging by forty eight percent in Queens and fifty percent in Wa and a saggering ninety percent in Victoria.

As we dig deeper, data out of New South Wales indicates that teens are the most likely perpetrators. Now experts are turning the blame to social media as trends like racking and borrowing encourage the younger generations to show off their stolen halls online.

As we dig deeper, data out of New South Wales indicates that teens are the most likely perpetrators. Now experts are turning the blame to social media as trends like racking and borrowing encourage the younger generations to show off their stolen halls online.

To find out more, we're joined by neuropsychiatrist doctor Permudi Gunner Utna. A good morning to you. Tell us why is that a silly question? Why are teams drawn to risky viviors? Have they always been?

To find out more, we're joined by neuropsychiatrist doctor Permudi Gunner Utna. A good morning to you. Tell us why is that a silly question? Why are teams drawn to risky viviors? Have they always been?

No, not at all. This is something that you know. I think we all know from our personal experiences that teenagers tend to engage in a lot more risky behaviors and the reasons for it are complex, but one of the big drivers is actually brain development. So the part of our brain that's responsible for decision making, for impulse control, it's right here on the front of the brain. It's called the prefrontal cortex, and that part of the brain it continues to develop right into the mid twenties or even late twenties. So often think the teenage brain. It's a bit like this amazing engine where all the bits that are responsible for things like learning, feeling, emotions, coordination, they're really well developed. But then the wires that sort of link to this front part of the brain, which is like the break mechanism, that's not quite developed yet. So teenagers they're not very good at sort of stopping and thinking about the long term consequences of their decisions.

No, not at all. This is something that you know. I think we all know from our personal experiences that teenagers tend to engage in a lot more risky behaviors and the reasons for it are complex, but one of the big drivers is actually brain development. So the part of our brain that's responsible for decision making, for impulse control, it's right here on the front of the brain. It's called the prefrontal cortex, and that part of the brain it continues to develop right into the mid twenties or even late twenties. So often think the teenage brain. It's a bit like this amazing engine where all the bits that are responsible for things like learning, feeling, emotions, coordination, they're really well developed. But then the wires that sort of link to this front part of the brain, which is like the break mechanism, that's not quite developed yet. So teenagers they're not very good at sort of stopping and thinking about the long term consequences of their decisions.

It's so interesting that the recognition far out weighs the actual reward of the product that you're stealing.

It's so interesting that the recognition far out weighs the actual reward of the product that you're stealing.

Is that something new, Well, it's not new, it's probably something that's been there all along, because the teenage brain it sort of prioritizes things like pleasure and reward over things like risk. And so what we see is when there's things like social media where you're getting things like likes and more followers, you're getting that social acceptance, that approval, then that means that that reward system is more activated, and so it's sort of another way of sort of amplifying and heightening all of those things that you know, even you know before social media, the teenage brain would have been attuned to.

Is that something new, Well, it's not new, it's probably something that's been there all along, because the teenage brain it sort of prioritizes things like pleasure and reward over things like risk. And so what we see is when there's things like social media where you're getting things like likes and more followers, you're getting that social acceptance, that approval, then that means that that reward system is more activated, and so it's sort of another way of sort of amplifying and heightening all of those things that you know, even you know before social media, the teenage brain would have been attuned to.

Yeah, so before now it's likes. Before it would have just been their mates sort of saying yeah, exactly exactly like that. So what do we do as parents? And is it boys versus girls do more?

Yeah, so before now it's likes. Before it would have just been their mates sort of saying yeah, exactly exactly like that. So what do we do as parents? And is it boys versus girls do more?

Look? I think it's because it's so complex, and things like testosterone make a difference, and the social atmosphere makes a difference. Sometimes you do see a gender difference, but actually occurs for both males and females. But in terms of I guess thinking about some practical tips if you do find that your child has engaged in something like shoplifting, I think, first, don't overreact, as hard as it is, you'll be adult in the room, and it's really important to be the one who's in control, the one who's keeping cool and calm. And then next thinking about consequences. So sometimes for a lot of teenagers, simply the actor getting caught that's going to be a big deterrent. There might be some legal consequences for something like shoplifting, but if not setting your own consequences to things like making them sort of go and apologize to the shopkeeper, getting them to pay for the item, or even sort of loss of some sort of rewards that they might have. Those things are really important, and then also using it as an opportunity for them to sort of think through the factors that motivated them to do that. All of those things are really important when it comes to sort of working with your teenager when they've done something like.

Look? I think it's because it's so complex, and things like testosterone make a difference, and the social atmosphere makes a difference. Sometimes you do see a gender difference, but actually occurs for both males and females. But in terms of I guess thinking about some practical tips if you do find that your child has engaged in something like shoplifting, I think, first, don't overreact, as hard as it is, you'll be adult in the room, and it's really important to be the one who's in control, the one who's keeping cool and calm. And then next thinking about consequences. So sometimes for a lot of teenagers, simply the actor getting caught that's going to be a big deterrent. There might be some legal consequences for something like shoplifting, but if not setting your own consequences to things like making them sort of go and apologize to the shopkeeper, getting them to pay for the item, or even sort of loss of some sort of rewards that they might have. Those things are really important, and then also using it as an opportunity for them to sort of think through the factors that motivated them to do that. All of those things are really important when it comes to sort of working with your teenager when they've done something like.

This, okay for Rdie, thank you so much. Don't ground them for life. Don't react. I remember that one you

This, okay for Rdie, thank you so much. Don't ground them for life. Don't react. I remember that one you