Shoplifting is a Major Concern Among Parents of Teens
In the past 6 months, we have gotten about 20 to 30 emails from young people as well as parents reporting that shoplifting is a major concern. Here are some thoughts from my research as well as our teen trendsetter network.
Ideas on Shoplifting:
1) Shoplifting Is Old
Shoplifting has always been a problem among young people. I think that perhaps we are now seeing more of a problem, but parents and adults who think that this has not been an issue for every generation are mistaken. Shoplifting is an old problem; it is just dressed a little differently…
2) What is Shoplifted is Different…
I asked my teen trendsetter group about this trend. They said that what is mainly different about shoplifting today is that what’s stolen is no longer just gum and snacks. Today, it is iTunes gift cards and Red Bull.
Top 5 Things Teens Shoplift:
iTunes Cards
Red Bull
Snacks
Candy
Magazines
3) Alcohol and Cigarettes
These did not make the top 5, but were towards the top. Many teens, when asked, do not consider stealing alcohol shoplifting. In fact, one of my teen advisors says, “Stealing alcohol is like a rite of passage. You do it to grow up. Plus, we practically deserve to get alcohol for free because we CAN’T buy it. I would buy it if they would let me. I steal it because they will not let me buy it.”
4) Digital Shoplifting, i.e Teen Piracy
Another change is piracy or digital shoplifting. A few adults I spoke to said they used to steal cassettes, CDs or even records. Teens today said they would too, and they do. It is just online.
5) Still Immune
Shoplifting, unfortunately, is still ‘no big deal.’ Many teens also feel completely immune to getting caught and do not think it would be so bad if they did. This is my biggest concern. I think parents need to talk about the potential consequences of shoplifting (legal as well as at home), and also remind kids that more and more stores have cameras now.
Overall, shoplifting is something that ALL parents, of kids of all ages, all demographics and all areas should talk about. In fact, the kids who steal most are usually the ones who need the stuff the least. Talk to your kids and make sure they understand the consequences and that you have insight into where they stand.
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Last week my 16 year old son stole expensive athletic shorts, and a jacket - none of which he needed. When confronted he said I’m not going to get caught…..my husband and I were devasted! I had some items I needed to take to the Good Will, so I had him pack up his stolen items and go with me to drop them off at Good Will. You wouldn’t think you’d need to tell your 16 year old about stealing, but as you’ve mentioned, it is relevant and consequences seem to be the furthest thing from his mind.
My son stole headphones and other stuff at a local drug store. I brought him to the store to make restitution. He is now only allowed in the store with a parent. That’s fine with me. I told them to arrest him if he is caught again. He knows right from wrong.
Hey! It says the #1 thing teens steal is iTUnes cards. I tnes cards only work if activated at the register
Interesting that you define “digital shoplifting” as a synonym for piracy.
Shoplifting is theft. Piracy is copyright violation.
The one involves physical objects. The other is about digital content.
Because lobbyist and lawmakers have made sure people think both are equivalent, it’s no surprise that children lose the feeling for what is right and what is wrong. Propaganda like that only helps to take down natural barriers inside children. When I was a kid, I did copy some games for my C64. But I never, ever stole anything from any shop.
Because I knew the two things were something completely different.
If I take a book from a bookstore without paying for it, that is theft.
Period.
If I take a picture of some pages of a book in a bookstore with my iPhone (maybe because it’s a recipe-book and I only want _that_ single recipe) - is it still theft? Maybe, maybe not. It’s “digital shoplifting” for sure.
But if I take the book to the reading-area and note the ingredients of the recipe I want, paraphrasing the instructions in a small notebook - what is it then?
The physical object never leaves the store.
Ha I have shoplifted so much I need to stop but it’s too fun.