Insight for Sunday 19 July 2009

Every year adolescents kill or injure themselves at a greater rate than other age groups.

In the past it's often been put down to the raging hormones of puberty. But there is growing evidence to suggest that teenagers take risks because of the way their brains are developing.

A development that may only be complete when someone reaches 25.

It means far from treating 18 year olds as adults, parents may have to think again.

What implications does this new research have for how adolescents act, does it help parents understand why their teenagers may be acting a little crazy and should society do more to protect adolescents for longer?

Sue Ingram talks to experts and a group of young people about growing up and risk-taking.