The health risks of giving alcohol to minors
By Katemarthason Okudo, September 9, 2026A viral video of a man giving alcohol to a minor has sparked uproar across different social media platforms, with some questioning its health impact. Media personalities Oga Obinna and Liz Jackson are among those who have condemned the action while urging responsible security agencies to act.
Alcohol is sometimes introduced to children and teenagers in settings where adults may consider it harmless.
A small taste at a family gathering, a sip during a celebration, or allowing a teenager to drink with adults can easily be dismissed as part of growing up.
Alcohol affects young people differently because their brains and bodies are still developing. What may appear to be a harmless introduction can expose a child to health and behavioural risks that may continue into adulthood.
Alcohol affects the developing brain
Adolescence is an important period of brain development. During this stage, young people are still developing the ability to control impulses, make decisions and assess risks.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), alcohol and drug use among children and adolescents is associated with changes in neurocognitive development, which can contribute to behavioural, emotional, social and academic problems later in life.
This means that giving a minor alcohol is not simply about whether they become drunk. Repeated exposure can interfere with healthy development and may affect concentration, memory, judgement and decision-making.
It can increase the risk of dependence
One of the biggest concerns with introducing alcohol at a young age is the possibility of developing unhealthy drinking habits later.
The earlier a person begins drinking, the more opportunity there is for alcohol use to become a regular behaviour. The WHO notes that early substance use is associated with a higher risk of dependence and other problems later in life.
In Kenya, research published through the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has also linked adolescent exposure to alcohol with effects on brain development and intellectual abilities, as well as a greater likelihood of alcohol dependence later in life.
Poor judgement can expose minors to danger
Alcohol reduces a person’s ability to make sound decisions. For children and teenagers who are still learning how to handle difficult situations, this can create additional risks.
A young person who has been drinking may be more likely to engage in risky behaviour, get involved in fights, suffer an injury or make decisions they would otherwise avoid. Alcohol use among adolescents has also been associated with injuries, violence and other harmful outcomes.
These risks can become even greater when drinking happens without responsible adult supervision or alongside other substances.
School and relationships can also suffer
The effects of underage drinking are not limited to physical health. Regular alcohol use can affect a young person’s behaviour, relationships and performance at school.
Poor concentration, absenteeism, declining academic performance and conflicts at home may develop when alcohol begins taking a bigger role in a child’s life. Over time, drinking can also become a way of dealing with stress, sadness or pressure instead of learning healthier ways of coping.
Adults have an important role
Preventing underage drinking starts with the environment children grow up in. Parents and other adults can avoid normalising alcohol as something children should experiment with and instead have age-appropriate conversations about its risks.
Keeping alcoholic drinks away from children, monitoring social activities and paying attention to changes in behaviour can also help. Most importantly, children should have a safe environment where they can ask questions about alcohol without being encouraged to try it.
Protecting minors from alcohol is therefore not about denying them a normal childhood experience. It is about giving their developing brains and bodies the best chance to grow without an avoidable risk that can affect their health well into adulthood.