Top 5 Legal Tips for Teens
Teenagers seem to occupy a social and emotional middle ground: not children, but not quite adults; so much responsibility, but not all of it; independent in so many ways, dependent in others. Much of that is also true when it comes to legal grounds.
The law is a little different when it comes to teenagers, so here are some of our best legal tips for teens, from our archives:
1. Is It Legal to Move Out at 17?
Most teenagers' first order of business is to get out of the house -- school, extracurricular activities, shopping, socializing, etc. Most of them also want to be out of the house permanently, but how old do you have to be before you can move out on your own?
2. Can Parents Kick Teens out of Their Home?
And then there are the teenagers who don't want to leave, perhaps to their parents' chagrin. Parents have a legal responsibility to provide for the wellbeing of their children, but how long does that responsibility require them to put a roof over their heads?
3. Social Media Safety Tips for Teenagers
There is no escaping social media in the social lives of teenagers. And sadly, interactions on social media can be just as damaging (emotionally and legally) as those in real life. So while teenagers may not be expected to stay off social media completely, there are safer ways to be online.
4. Legal for Kids to Drink Alcohol With Parents?
Parents want to be cool, or maybe they just want to keep an eye on their teens. Teenagers see their parents doing it and want to join, or maybe they think it's the only way they can host a party. Either way, the idea that parents can legally condone teen drinking, as long as they are present and responsible, is a murky one.
5. Summer Jobs for Teens: Top Legal Questions
You need money to do all the things you want over the summer, so you do the responsible thing and get a job. But how many hours can you legally work? Can you serve booze? And are employers responsible for paying you minimum wage if you're under age?
Related Resources:
- Find Family Law Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
- Top 3 Tips for Emancipated Minors (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- Is It Legal to Sign a Contract With a Minor? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- 5 Laws You Should Know If You Are the Parent of a Teenager (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)