Face Off: Should caffeinated energy drinks be banned for people under the age of 18?
- Each week, two readers debate a hot topic in a showdown that doesn’t necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints
- This week, they discuss whether highly caffeinated drinks should be off-limits to teens
Many teenagers drink caffeinated energy drinks, but they could pose health problems. Photo: ShutterstockIf you are interested in joining future Face Off debates, fill out this form to submit your application.
For: Heer Donda, 13, King George V School
Energy drinks are a popular choice for teens and young adults around the world. According to UCLA Health, 30 per cent of adolescents in the US and as many as 70 per cent in Europe report regular consumption of energy drinks. However, there are a lot of concerns over the safety of these products, especially for teenagers, and there are valid reasons why these drinks should be banned for children under 18 until they can be proven safe.
One of the most obvious reasons is because of the amount of caffeine they have. Consuming high amounts of caffeine can be risky for adolescents. The current recommendation for teens is less than 100 mg of caffeine per day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics – the amount found in a typical energy drink.
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Caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness, and combined with the sugar found in energy drinks, works to create a “jolt” of energy. However, it often includes side effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, jitters and insomnia, quickly followed by a crash.
According to the Mayo Clinic, very high doses of caffeine, greater than 10 milligrams per kilogram daily, are linked to serious health conditions. For example, if a person weighs 75 kilograms, a very high dose is about 750 milligrams of caffeine daily. Too much caffeine can lead to chest pain, irregular heartbeat and even strokes.
Furthermore, the US Food and Drug Administration says caffeine poisoning can happen with 1,200 milligrams of pure caffeine. That is less than half a teaspoon of caffeine in powder form.
The National Library of Medicine, along with numerous other sources, reports that caffeine increases blood pressure, anxiety, headaches and restlessness, and a study of teenagers aged 15 and 16 suggests a relationship between the amount of caffeine consumed and violent behaviour. These drinks also contain a lot of sugar, increasing the risk of diabetes and tooth decay.
There are many health concerns associated with caffeinated energy drinks, and they should be off-limits for children until the side effects are fully understood.
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Against: Charmaine Wong Cheuk-ying, 14, St Paul’s Co-educational College
Caffeinated energy drinks have become a staple in today’s fast-paced world to fight fatigue and fuel workouts. While concerns exist around potential health risks, an outright ban for those under 18 is unwarranted.
People who argue for a ban on energy drinks cite the risks of caffeine overdose. But in fact, an Australian study from the National Health Institute found that most teens don’t actually consume energy drinks; a study of 8,942 students aged 12 to 17 found that only eight per cent of them consumed energy drinks on a weekly basis, while 16 per cent of students consume less than one cup per week; 76 per cent don’t drink energy drinks at all. While this study was small, it still gives us insight on the larger teen population. Is a ban necessary when it isn’t much of a problem?
Subsequently, people who oppose caffeinated energy drinks claim that caffeine poses unknown health risks to the developing adolescent brain and body. But Nova Medical Centers, an occupational healthcare institution, states that moderate caffeine consumption in the form of coffee or tea is not inherently dangerous, even providing youth some cognitive and physical benefits. For example, the energy boost can improve a person’s attitude and give them the boost they need to concentrate.
In addition, a ban limits individual choice and parental oversight. Considering most parents can educate children about healthy options and monitor their well-being, removing a choice will not address potential misuse and may encourage secretive, dangerous binge drinking behaviours instead. Instead of an outright ban, a more balanced approach would include education on moderate consumption and open discussion on risks. This would respect a teen’s autonomy and encourage personal responsibility.
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Rather than solely targeting energy drinks, it is important to address broader factors contributing to excessive caffeine consumption among young individuals, including lack of sleep, high stress levels, and unhealthy dietary habits, to name but a few.
By addressing these underlying causes, we can promote healthier lifestyles and responsible caffeine consumption across the board.