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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Will my 16 year old be fine buying beer on Amazon, (check description)

85 replies

1986mam · 14/08/2025 20:17

My 16 year old has took the next step in his life and is now travelling to away games with his pals. Whenever he asks I usually buy him some beer for the train, nothing over the top. However, we are going to the Lake District and he’s getting the train from there next week and as you could imagine I’ve got very little time to go out and buy him some, so I was just wondering about the risks of him buying beer on amazon. He could probably pass as 18 and give a fake DOB when he collects it but I was just afraid they won’t take his word for it and some consequences may come his way like a ban from Amazon. Can anyone give any insight to how strict Amazon are on age verification and ID ect? Thank you x

OP posts:
Longnightmoon · 15/08/2025 07:40

I think getting aggro through not having proof he is over 18 is the least of your troubles.

You are presumably an adult. Be a parent

anothernamechangeoccurs · 15/08/2025 07:40

I don’t have an issue with my 16 year old having a beer or two under our supervision in the privacy of our home. But to state the very obvious, what you are encouraging him to do is illegal

Elektra1 · 15/08/2025 07:43

I have to show the Ocado driver my ID if the shop has alcohol in it and I’m 49, so I doubt this would work for your 16 year old

AgnesX · 15/08/2025 07:43

BeachLife2 · 14/08/2025 22:43

There's absolutely no issue with a 16 year old having a few bottles of beer. It's not magically safer the day they turn 18 😂

Other countries don't have this puritanical approach and have far fewer issues with alcohol. It's far better for teens to have a safe supply of beer than be necking dodgy vodka from a mate.

On your question, I can't see Amazon allowing it unfortunately so you will need to get him it.

The problem being that the UK has a difficult problem with alcohol especially where football's concerned.

It's not something I'd encourage frankly.

Jaws2025 · 15/08/2025 07:44

Assume this is the teenager posting. Please don't drink on the way to the football. You don't need it, it could stop you getting entry to the game and make you more likely to get into fights.
Plus if your team is so shit you need alcohol to enjoy the game, get a new team.

Longnightmoon · 15/08/2025 07:51

Jaws2025 · 15/08/2025 07:44

Assume this is the teenager posting. Please don't drink on the way to the football. You don't need it, it could stop you getting entry to the game and make you more likely to get into fights.
Plus if your team is so shit you need alcohol to enjoy the game, get a new team.

I expect you are right, this is a child posting, not a parent. That makes sense!

OP. You may think alcohol is adult or cool or necessary, but believe us, it really isn't. You are setting yourself up for long term health, financial and relationship problems.

Just be yourself. It is fine not be be full of confidence, or totally extravert. When you have matured a bit more, and are happy and comfortable with who you are, then using a small amount of alcohol in moderation, in an appropriate setting (which will never be beers on a train, by the way) is fun and manageable.

But don't start using it as a crutch to get over the awkward hump into adulthood - that is just going to hurt you in the long run

2chocolateoranges · 15/08/2025 07:54

My dh has ordered alcohol to be delivered to us, if he answers the door he gets asked his DOB but when ds has answered the door to received the package he has been asked to show ID.

TimeForABreak4 · 15/08/2025 07:56

Can his pals parents not buy him some extra when they get theirs?

PhilippaGeorgiou · 15/08/2025 07:57

So... "goady post and run", or "hello, 16 year old, when are you back at school?"

OxfordQuestion · 15/08/2025 08:01

PhilippaGeorgiou · 15/08/2025 07:57

So... "goady post and run", or "hello, 16 year old, when are you back at school?"

🤣

NapoleonsToe · 15/08/2025 08:09

This is your second thread about your son and beer.

I grew up in a pub and am pretty relaxed about drinking, but boys, beer and football? That's a really bad mix. Especially at 16 when they make such stupid decisions. He doesn't need beetnon a train, not do all the other passengers need to be subjected to it. If he can't watch football without drinking, that's a concern.

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 15/08/2025 08:24

If you look under 25 they will ask to see a copy of his ID as it is marked as ID verification

If he did give false DOB and got away with it you are risking somone's job

Mayflower282 · 15/08/2025 08:26

Research shows a strong correlation between early alcohol use and the development of alcohol dependence. Specifically, one study found that those who started drinking before age 16 were 47% likely to experience dependence at some point in their lives, compared to only 9% for those who started at 21 or older.

FrenchandSaunders · 15/08/2025 08:31

As long as he’s not getting hammered, I don’t see the issue with a few beers at that age … he may be off to uni in a year or two and better to have had some experience with booze beforehand.

DD always said the kids from strict parents were the worst with drink and drugs.

INeedAnotherName · 15/08/2025 08:32

BeachLife2 · 14/08/2025 22:43

There's absolutely no issue with a 16 year old having a few bottles of beer. It's not magically safer the day they turn 18 😂

Other countries don't have this puritanical approach and have far fewer issues with alcohol. It's far better for teens to have a safe supply of beer than be necking dodgy vodka from a mate.

On your question, I can't see Amazon allowing it unfortunately so you will need to get him it.

Other countries don't have this puritanical approach

It doesn't matter what other countries do, it is against our law. And who the fuck encourages their underage child to use fake ID? I agree with other posters that this is a child trying to find a loophole so they can get alcohol.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 15/08/2025 08:34

I’ve been asked for ID from Mr Amazon when my husband has bought booze.

Mugon · 15/08/2025 08:34

They ask me for ID when I buy age restricted things and I'm 55!

They have beer and shops in the Lake District, surely you'll be buying bread and milk, get it then.

pinkdelight · 15/08/2025 08:41

If he was enjoying matches at 15 without beer, it’s sad to make them beer dependent at 16. Just go without. If he enjoys his mates’ company and the game, why make a thing of beers on the train.

arethereanyleftatall · 15/08/2025 08:52

Why on earth as a parent would you be helping your 16 yo son to drink alcohol?!?

BeachLife2 · 15/08/2025 08:55

@Mayflower282

The issue with a lot of the 'research' is that it is funded by campaign groups which are anti-alcohol and would be delighted if it were banned completely.

I visit Spain regularly, where alcohol is a very normal part of life from a young age. It is very normal for DC to be in bars in prams for example.

They have very few issues with alcohol dependence or drinking to excess. Much better that DC learn to consume alcohol in a responsible and normal way rather than seeing it as forbidden fruit.

BeachLife2 · 15/08/2025 08:58

Why on earth wouldn't you @arethereanyleftatall? He wants a few beers, not cocaine 😂

It is actually perfectly legal for 16 year olds to have beer or wine in a restaurant.

arethereanyleftatall · 15/08/2025 09:00

BeachLife2 · 15/08/2025 08:58

Why on earth wouldn't you @arethereanyleftatall? He wants a few beers, not cocaine 😂

It is actually perfectly legal for 16 year olds to have beer or wine in a restaurant.

it isn’t good for you though is it? Just because you can do something, and actually - is it legal in a train? - doesn’t mean you should do it.

its hardly gold star parenting.

arethereanyleftatall · 15/08/2025 09:02

BeachLife2 · 15/08/2025 08:55

@Mayflower282

The issue with a lot of the 'research' is that it is funded by campaign groups which are anti-alcohol and would be delighted if it were banned completely.

I visit Spain regularly, where alcohol is a very normal part of life from a young age. It is very normal for DC to be in bars in prams for example.

They have very few issues with alcohol dependence or drinking to excess. Much better that DC learn to consume alcohol in a responsible and normal way rather than seeing it as forbidden fruit.

Oh come off it. You can’t pretend having a glass of wine whilst out for dinner with your parents is in any way similar to drinking beers with the lads on a train after a football match.

herbalteabag · 15/08/2025 09:05

I'm surprised he gets away with drinking it on the train. As someone who checks ID as part of my job, I'd be highly suspicious of him and you can usually tell when they start speaking whatever they look like.

BeachLife2 · 15/08/2025 09:09

arethereanyleftatall · 15/08/2025 09:02

Oh come off it. You can’t pretend having a glass of wine whilst out for dinner with your parents is in any way similar to drinking beers with the lads on a train after a football match.

Show quote history

Not every football fan is a lout desperate to get hammered. I will be attending a game tonight and may well have a drink or two en route.

My club has actually introduced a fan zone this season for the whole family, which includes a bar facility. Absolutely no issues so far- just an opportunity for family and friends to enjoy a relaxed environment together.

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