Study: Youth can be entrusted to make important decisions at a younger age

Pirko Tõugu, Associate Professor of Developmental and Cognitive Psychology at the University of Tartu, explained that young people’s cognitive abilities emerge early, while psychosocial maturity and self-regulation develop much slower. “In suitable conditions, young people are able to make decisions earlier than many age restrictions currently allow,” said Tõugu. “At the same time, we must consider that the quality of young people’s decisions is inevitably influenced by the environment in which the decisions are being made.” She added that expanding decision-making rights must go hand in hand with creating an environment that supports making balanced decisions.

The survey carried out during the study revealed that when making life decisions, young people use various strategies that indicate deliberate, thoughtful decision-making, such as searching for information, comparing options, discussing them with parents, and weighing risks. However, young people admit they rarely turn to teachers, career advisers or financial experts.

The study also highlights that even when youth are able to consider and justify their decisions, they are strongly influenced by other people’s opinions and approval. However, as they mature, young people rely more on their own deliberations in decision-making and take into account the risks in their educational and social choices as well.

Tea Danilov, head of the Foresight Centre, admitted that social media makes decision-making significantly more difficult for the youth of today. “Social media entices with instant approval and praise, and peer pressure, often based on biased information, can influence young person’s decisions even if they understand the long-term consequences and risks involved,” Danilov said.

As part of the study, a decision evaluation framework was developed that allows us to assess the justification of current age restrictions based on the nature of the decision, its risks and irreversibility, and the decision-making environment.

For example, the evaluation framework helped us understand that when applying for an instant loan, the required minimum age of 18 (or even 21) is justified due to the high financial risk and irreversible consequences. Entrepreneurship in a simplified form could be appropriate for young people under the age of 18, provided that risks are mitigated and financial training and advice are available.

When voting in elections, the decision-making environment plays a significant role, where possible social pressure and biased information may strongly influence young people’s decisions. However, with proper support, such as developing critical thinking and media literacy, making a voting decision could be appropriate and beneficial for youth under the age of 18 as well.

Making decisions concerning compulsory education or continuation of studies could be appropriate for youth from the age of 16 in a supported environment, such as with the help of a study or career adviser. Since this decision is personally important to young people, they are motivated to put in the extra effort necessary for making a balanced and informed decision.

The study “Youth deciding: what to consider in the discussion of decision-making rights of young people” (in Estonian) has been prepared as part of the Foresight Centre’s research stream “The Future of Youth Autonomy”. The research stream focuses on the questions of which factors influence youth autonomy and how well the developments in youth autonomy correspond to the various age restrictions that regulate the rights of young people. The study was commissioned by the Foresight Centre and conducted by the University of Tartu.