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Record Low Teen Drinking Mirrors Growing Gen Z Distrust

6/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

47 percent of 12th-grade Americans tried alcohol in 2025, the lowest share on record.
Nearly three quarters of Gen Z say you can’t be too careful with people, the highest level among ages.
Only 13 percent of Gen Z say most people can be trusted, indicating widespread distrust.
Psychologist Jean Twenge links the teen-drinking decline to broader drops in risk-taking such as sex and driving.

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Story summary

47 percent of 12th-grade Americans tried alcohol in 2025, the lowest share on record.
Nearly three quarters of Gen Z say you can’t be too careful with people, the highest level among ages.
Only 13 percent of Gen Z say most people can be trusted, indicating widespread distrust.
Psychologist Jean Twenge links the teen-drinking decline to broader drops in risk-taking such as sex and driving.