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Allowing PEDs will increase youth drug use and other unhealthy activities.

A review of 52 studies of 187,288 people aged 10-21 years old, as well as an additional 894 adults, found that, on average, kids first use PEDs when they are 14 years old, with some using the drugs as early as nine. [25]

The same study found that kids who use PEDs are more likely to participate in other dangerous behaviors such as substance abuse (including alcohol, marijuana, and heroin), driving drunk, not wearing a seatbelt, riding with a drunk driver, and sexual promiscuity. Whether one bad habit directly fed another is not the point—all are signs and symptoms of dangerous behavior that should not be condoned or encouraged. [25]

While athletic performance is often a driver for PED use, a correlation between male body image and PED use has also been noted “There is increasing concern regarding a rise in body dissatisfaction in young males particularly around masculinity. Individuals develop an unhealthy obsession with muscle growth and definition and are at risk of over-exercising as well as utilising medications including anabolic agents to achieve their goals,” says Laura Lallenec, physician and medical advisor for the Australian government. [26]

Athletes, like it or not, are role models for children, especially as social media increases access to famous players. Their behavior, good and bad—and especially their use of PEDs—can spur similar actions among their youthful fans. Teddy Bridgewater, self-professed “Neighborhood Hope Dealer” and a former NFL quarterback, posted about this dynamic on Instagram: “Kids don’t be fooled. You can play ball, do the right thing and they still gonna accept you. Look at me, I’m far from perfect but I chose the ball route but I can still go to the hood and post up and it’s all love. I still keep the same 3 dudes around me. My people accept me for making all the right decisions and not falling victim or being tricked by the false image you see on IG [Instagram] from a lot of ball players.” [27]

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