A psychologist says street racing, hidden drug use and risky online behaviour can reflect unmet needs for identity, recognition and connection , not simply defiance or thrill-seeking.
Adolescence can look like rebellion on the surface, but the behaviour often carries a deeper message. Amir Lotfi, a psychologist speaking to ISNA and reported by Tabnak, said some of the riskiest actions seen among teenagers, including late-night street racing and hidden drug use, are less about thrill-seeking than a search for identity, belonging and recognition. In his view, a young person may not be acting from interest in a substance or an activity itself, but from a wish not to be left out of a peer group.
Lotfi argued that treatment should move beyond simple punishment or control. Rather than asking only what a teenager has taken or done, he said clinicians should ask what need that behaviour is trying to satisfy: escape from anxiety, a desire for excitement, relief from loneliness, or the creation of a self-image that feels unavailable in everyday life. That approach echoes wider research on adolescent risk-taking, which links such conduct to self-esteem, emotional regulation, family relationships and peer influence.
He also pointed to the role of the wider environment. In his account, street racing is not merely a question of speed or irresponsibility, but a social stage on which teenagers can display status, courage and belonging. That fits with studies showing that friendships and neighbourhood ties can shape the likelihood of risky behaviour, while stronger self-esteem tends to reduce it. Other research on young people and social networks suggests that unregulated online spaces can intensify the problem by rewarding dangerous behaviour with attention, likes and imitation.
Lotfi said the same logic applies to digital life, where teenagers may begin to measure success by clicks, followers, money and speed. He warned that this can make quick-profit schemes, online gambling and digital fraud seem like opportunities rather than crimes. The answer, he argued, is not just to tell young people what is illegal, but to build media literacy, financial literacy and the ability to delay gratification. He also stressed that mental health support, safe family relationships, room for physical activity and more youth-friendly urban spaces all matter, because a teenager’s body, surroundings and emotional life are closely connected.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
