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How to handle a teen gossip girl

Gossiping, as we all know, refers to idle talk or spreading groundless rumors and has deep implications. Teenagers, vulnerable as they are, can be affected emotionally and physically by gossiping. Teenage girls are prone to gossiping in their numerous groups at school. Your daughter might be a gossiper or gets affected by gossip. Whatever the situation is, you need to be vigilant as a parent. Gossip can often be ignored, but the consequences can sometimes be irreparable and cannot be overlooked. Here are some tips which will help you to tackle your teenage gossip girl.

  1. Set a good example for your daughter. Your children often reflect your behavior. Although your child’s it may not be a sign of bad parenting if your child gossips, it will become one when you don’t hold your child responsible for their actions or when you don’t try to correct her. Do not gossip about a third party in front of your child. They will try to emulate the same in their own social cliques or groups.
  2. You have to explain what exactly is gossiping to your teenager as most of them are not aware of what they are doing in the initial stages. Talk about the repercussions of gossiping especially that of negative gossip. Explain how it can effect people’s life in a bad way and alienate them from others. Adopt a casual yet assertive style and do not impose words upon them as thy might not take it well.
  3. Bring about a no-gossip rule in your household; not in a dictatorial style but only after you have let your child know about the negative effects of gossip
  4. Observe your girl closely. If something changes like a change of friends, change of general behavior or habits, then there may be an underlying story to it.
  5. Establish a good rapport with your teen. It is very essential so that she will be comfortable talking to you about anything that concerns her. Encourage her to come to you at any time and talk about her problems. This way you can find out about what exactly is troubling her. Do not be aggressive or quick tempered when she comes to you with a problem.
  6. Teach your teen to show morally good behavior. She should accept responsibility for her actions. Explain that she is affecting her own friendships by spreading rumors. Teens hold friends very closely and would probably never want to lose their friends.
  7. If she has already caused damage with rumors she has spread, then help her get a mentality to rectify it in every way she can and not repeat it again. She can talk to the people or parents concerned about it directly and apologize.
  8. Ask your teen daughter how she would feel if the same thing was done to her. i.e teach her to empathize.
  9. Talk to teachers and friends to find out how your girl is doing in general. Nip heavy gossiping tendencies in the bud itself. It would be much harder to do it when they are grown up.

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