Idaho’s Kids Are Struggling — We Need to Pay Attention

ABOUT THE SURVEY

The 2025 Unaltered State Baseline Audience Research Survey was conducted by Boise-based Rathbone Falvey Research between October 13 and December 5, 2025. The survey includes responses from 1,625 parents and 852 teens across Idaho. Participation was balanced across all four regions of the state to ensure broad geographic representation. 

By Jennie Sue Weltner

Idaho is a small state in the best way. We value family. We look out for our neighbors. We believe in raising kids who are strong, capable, and ready for life. That’s why a new statewide survey about Idaho teens and parents should stop every one of us in our tracks.

More than half of Idaho teens say they used alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana in the past year. One in three is struggling with their mental health. Nearly one in five has had thoughts of hurting themselves.

These aren’t just numbers. They’re our kids.

Meanwhile, many Idahoans still think underage drinking, vaping, or getting high is just part of growing up. In fact, according to the survey results, 1 in 3 adults think it’s a rite of passage. It isn’t. Teen brains are still developing, and alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana interfere with learning, judgment, and emotional control. The substances raise the risk of addiction, depression, accidents, unplanned pregnancy, and getting pulled into the justice system. These substances don’t prepare kids for adulthood — they derail it.

One of the most eye-opening findings in this research is how differently adults and teens see the world. Parents most often say social media is the biggest problem. Teens say their biggest worry is money, followed by mental health and loneliness. Screens do matter — that’s often where kids are exposed to vaping and drugs — but underneath that, many teens are worried about whether they’ll be able to make a life in today’s economy.

There may be influencers on TikTok, but the real influencers in Idaho are still sitting at the kitchen table.

Parents want to help, but nearly one in three teens say they haven’t had a real conversation at home about substances. Many are afraid of getting in trouble or being judged.

We can do better than that. And the good news is that the solution doesn’t require more money or more pressure on already overwhelmed families. It simply means parents and caregivers taking their role as their child’s number one influencer to heart — and working to improve the quality of the conversations happening at home.

We can start talking earlier — before the risky years of 14 to 16. We can listen more. And we can model healthier ways of handling stress instead of normalizing alcohol and substances.

Idaho has always taken pride in raising strong kids. Let’s make sure the way we treat alcohol, vaping, and marijuana matches that value.

Our kids are watching.

READ THE RESULTS OF THE 2025 UNALTERED STATE SURVEY

Read the full report.