Monster for under 16s?

[Fatiguedwithlife]

DS is in year 7 and is DESPERATE to try monster (the energy drink).
I know a couple of his friends have it but it’s something I’m really not keen on letting him do.
I said I’d ask the Hive what their consensus is.

YABU - let him try it, it’s fine
YANBU - make him wait til he’s a lot older

I wouldn’t let my 11 year old have it, also wouldn’t buy it for my 15 year old and have explained to her how bad it is for you and she isn’t interested.

I do let them have coffee occasionally but a can of monster has more caffeine than one coffee, plus the sugar and colourings.

Just say no, it’s bad for you.

An eleven year old doesn't need an energy drink! Hard no from me.

yoh can let him try it. my kids have, they sometimes get one…once every 2 months? or you can say no your too young rn. up to you…but just be aware that high school means all bets are off really, he’ll get his hands on it or get a sip of someone’s if he really wants to. All you can do is say why you’re not keen, and let him know the harms of overconsumption

No-one in the house drinks it, thankfully. I don’t actually know anyone who does!

I might buy a can one day and we can try it together and see how gross it is. I get the whole forbidden fruit thing, I’m not normally ott and ban anything completely as I know it increases the appeal but there’s something about these drinks, I guess it’s the amount of people who become addicted that’s worried me.

Hes the type of kid who likes trends and does get a little fixated. He had just about all the Prime bottles (at least that wasn’t too bad for you! He wasn’t allowed the energy versions obviously)

Absolutely no way. They’re dangerous and really damaging to the body.

I drink 2/3 a day and I’m struggling to cut back, I’ve been drinking them regularly since I was about 15 so I’d be inclined to say absolutely not.

However I was also 16 once and I know that my parents saying I couldn’t have something made me want it more and I’d just find a way of getting it myself.

If he has ID he’ll just buy it himself anyway, he’s legally allowed to. I’d allow him one to try, he might hate it. If he does enjoy it, tell him you won’t have it in the house or around you.

Edit- sorry for some reason I thought you said your DS was 16. My brain isn’t working properly yet. Year 7 is ages 12-14 right?
Honestly I stand by the above. If I may make a suggestion, IF you do buy one, get one of the juiced ones, they’re marginally healthier and not as nice flavour wise as the standard ones.

He’s 12 @OneDreamyGreenMentor

Hard no. And I can’t believe you can’t decide this for yourself.

DS1 who was 15/16 at the time, drank a can of this and fainted at school. He is now 28, super fit and healthy and wouldn’t dream of drinking something with so much sugar in it!

Please don’t. It’s so bad for the heart

I’m like you - allow sips of alcohol, not hard bans on things in general - but I’d put this in the ‘drugs’ camp rather than the ‘alcohol’ camp. People can get addicted to alcohol, but most people don’t, whereas Monster and similar drinks are addictive for many (most?) and contain other things that are really not good for you. I’d be saying ‘no’, but explaining exactly why, including potential addiction.

No. Energy drinks are not for children which you should know as he can't buy it himself.