Resource Pack: Social Pressures
Young people face a wide range of social pressures, from feeling pushed into certain behaviours to navigating friendships, relationships, and personal choices. Making informed decisions - especially in challenging situations - can be difficult, but learning how to recognise pressure, set boundaries, and think critically can make all the difference.
This resource pack is designed to help students explore key topics around social pressures and decision-making. Through engaging video content, discussions, and activities, students will develop the confidence and strategies they need to navigate tricky situations safely and responsibly.
Each video is designed to spark discussion and reflection, helping students to build resilience and feel more in control of their choices. By equipping them with practical tools to handle pressure, this pack supports their personal development and wellbeing - both in school and beyond.
Preview
Watch a preview of 'Exit strategies’ - a video designed to help learners of all ages the explore the dangers of peer pressure.
This video by Evie helps students explore practical ways to refuse unwanted offers without conflict, whether through humour, redirection, or simple honesty.
It also encourages them to reflect on the social dynamics at play - why people might pressure others and how to navigate these moments while maintaining friendships and personal boundaries.
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For all Key Stages 3-5
This video aims to help students understand the complex reasons behind why some people choose to carry knives, addressing both fear and the desire for control as key factors.
It explores how the culture of fear - where people carry knives to protect themselves from potential threats - can create a cycle of violence and distrust.
Aisha also highlights the stark reality that carrying a knife actually increases the likelihood of being harmed by it.
The people we spend time with have a huge influence on our behaviours, attitudes, and expectations of ourselves.
Whether it’s schoolwork, sports, or personal goals, our social circles can either push us to improve or reinforce habits that hold us back.
This video by Liv helps students reflect on how their friendships shape their mindset and motivation. By recognising the impact of peer influence, they can make more intentional choices about who they surround themselves with and how they set their own personal standards for success.
In this video, students will learn the power of standing up for others in bullying situations and how their actions can make a significant impact.
Nate breaks down practical ways students can help, from challenging bullying behaviour in a subtle way to offering support to the person being targeted.
It encourages students to move beyond the fear of confrontation and shows that they don’t need to act heroically, but rather, act thoughtfully and with empathy.
For Key Stages 3/4
This video by Sunny is all about the art of saying "no" - without feeling guilty or like you're letting someone down.
We all know how tricky it can be when a friend asks for a favour or invites you somewhere, but you’ve already got a million things on your plate.
The video reminds students that saying "no" isn’t about being rude - it’s about setting healthy boundaries, and it’s totally okay to put yourself first sometimes!
This video dives into what can make young people vulnerable to joining gangs.
It breaks down the key factors like feeling isolated, wanting money, and looking for status or protection. It’s a great way to start conversations about the pressures students face and how they can make better choices.
The idea is to show that there’s more to gang involvement than just crime – it’s often about emotional needs, a sense of belonging, and the tough situations that many young people experience.
Understanding when you're ready to have sex can be confusing.
This video by Evie explores the feelings and considerations that go into deciding if you’re ready - highlighting the importance of feeling both physically and emotionally prepared, as well as understanding consent and contraception.
It encourages students to reflect on their own feelings, their relationship with their potential partner, and the need for safety and trust.
For Key Stages 4/5
In this video by Sunny, students will explore the signs of manipulation in friendships and how to recognise when a friendship has become one-sided or controlling.
It encourages students to trust their instincts, set boundaries, and seek support if they feel pressured or walked over in a friendship. Use this video to spark discussion on healthy friendships, peer pressure, and standing up for oneself.
Alcohol can seriously impact a person’s ability to give consent, yet in social settings like parties, these lines can become blurred.
Amy walks through a relatable party scenario, highlighting when to "press pause" on intimacy if someone has been drinking. It reinforces the message that if someone isn’t sober, they can’t fully consent - no matter how interested they seemed earlier. Instead of taking advantage, the responsible choice is to ensure their safety.
Peer pressure can make young people feel like they’re "falling behind" when it comes to sex. This video challenges that mindset, reassuring students that there’s no set timeline for becoming sexually active.
It explores the pressure that can come from friends’ experiences and reinforces the idea that choosing to have sex is a deeply personal decision - one that should never be influenced by comparison or external expectations.
This video by Dan explores how alcohol and recreational drugs can impact decision-making, using a lighthearted but effective visual metaphor.
Students will see how being ‘under the influence’ can feel like having a second version of themselves - one that makes different choices, reacts differently to situations, and doesn’t always consider consequences.
It highlights key risks, such as peer pressure, impulsive actions, and unintended conflict. It also encourages students to reflect on personal responsibility, reinforcing that even if their ‘under the influence’ self makes a choice, they are still accountable for the outcome.
When students face big decisions - whether it’s choosing between sixth form and college, picking subjects, or even deciding what to do after school - it can feel overwhelming.
Evie introduces a simple but powerful mindset shift: It’s not about making the right choice, it’s about making the choice right.
It encourages students to focus less on the fear of ‘what if’ and more on making the most of the path they’ve chosen. By helping them understand that every option has pros and cons, we can empower them to commit to their decisions with confidence and resilience.