Caffeine and energy drinks
Whether teens may have coffee, tea or energy drinks, from none until adulthood to a little to no rules.
Should children and teens have caffeine or energy drinks?
In short: Parents choose between 4 main approaches: None until 18; Small amounts of coffee or tea; No energy drinks ever; Unrestricted. Evidence: well established. Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. Best settled: tween.
- Evidence
- Well established
- Best settled
- Tween
- Part of
- Raising the child
Caffeine and energy drinks: what are the options?
Parents usually land on one of these 4 approaches.
1. None until 18
No caffeine at all until adulthood.
2. Small amounts of coffee or tea
A little coffee or tea is fine for teens.
3. No energy drinks ever
Energy drinks are never allowed, though coffee or tea may be.
4. Unrestricted
There are no rules about caffeine.
Caffeine and energy drinks: what does the evidence say?
Well established. Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. (Settled on energy drinks)
AAP: children and adolescents should never consume energy drinks
Sources
What else is worth knowing?
Caffeine affects sleep and energy drinks contain a lot of it along with sugar. Pediatric bodies advise against energy drinks for children and teens. Coffee and tea are more a matter of family habit.
Questions to ask each other
- What are our own habits with coffee and energy drinks?
- At what age is coffee or tea okay?
- How would we respond to a teen who drinks energy drinks?
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First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.