# Caffeine and energy drinks

**Should children and teens have caffeine or energy drinks?**

Whether teens may have coffee, tea or energy drinks, from none until adulthood to a little to no rules.

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.

- Area: Food and eating
- Evidence: Well established
- Best settled: Tween
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/food-and-eating--caffeine-and-energy-drinks

## Caffeine and energy drinks: what are the options?

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:

- [AAP](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/127/6/1182/30098/Sports-Drinks-and-Energy-Drinks-for-Children-and)

## 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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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=food-and-eating&topic=food-and-eating--caffeine-and-energy-drinks