Good Influences vs. Bad Influences — How to Tell

Have you ever noticed that after playing with one friend, you feel happy and full of energy? But after hanging out with another, you feel kind of tired or worried? That feeling is a clue. It tells you about the influence people have on you, and it’s one of the most important things you can learn to notice.

The people around you are called your influences. An influence is anyone or anything that can change how you think, feel, or act. It’s not just your friends. It can be your family, your teachers, and even characters in books or games.Some influences are like sunshine. They help you grow and feel good about yourself. Other influences are like a rain cloud that follows you around, making you feel gloomy or encouraging you to make choices that get you in trouble.Here’s how to spot the difference:A good influence makes you feel proud of yourself. They encourage you to do your best and make good choices.A bad influence might make you feel anxious or like you have to pretend to be someone else. They might push you to do things you know are wrong.Researchers have found that you are much more like...

Rohan, who is 10, loved playing with his friend Diego's group. They were hilarious and always had the best games. But after hanging out with them, Rohan often realized he hadn't done his homework and felt worried about school. He also noticed they sometimes made fun of other kids, which made his stomach feel tight. His other friend, Priya, had a quieter group. They would help each other with school projects and practice soccer together. After spending time with Priya's group, Rohan felt calm and proud of what he'd accomplished. He didn't stop being friends with Diego, but he started spending more time with Priya. He realized some friends were for fun, and others helped him be the person he wanted to be.