The travel warnings every parent should know for their child’s first mates’ holiday

More young Brits jet off in August than any other age group (Picture: Shutterstock / View Apart)

Holiday season is in full swing, and across the UK, there’s one age group taking off from the tarmac in droves.

New research from ABTA – The Travel Association shows that August is the busiest time of year for young people going on holiday abroad.

Some 44% of 18 to 24-year-olds have booked or are considering an overseas trip this month, compared with a national average of 31% across all other ages.

It’s exciting for youngsters but troubling for parents, given 45% of this generation plan on booking their trip within four weeks of travelling, leaving little time to prepare.

We chat to a doctor and full-time traveller to get their tips for staying safe abroad.

Let’s not have a repeat of The Inbetweeners (Picture: Shutterstock / Creation Company)

What do the health experts say?

‘Let’s be honest, teens on holiday without their parents are likely to let their hair down and party,’ Dr Deborah Lee, GP at Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, tells Metro.

‘Anything could happen. So it’s important to make sure they go away well advised and prepared to deal with a variety of emergencies.’

Parents, look away, but unplanned sex and holiday romances are par for the course for many first-time holidaymakers.

Dr Lee says it’s vital teens know how to access emergency contraception (EC), which can often be bought over the counter at pharmacies abroad.

The use of morning-after-pills can be highly effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy. Brands like Ulipristal are 98-99% effective, while Levonelle is over 95% effective.

And relax… (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Many young people may also be tempted to dabble with drugs.

Studies reveal that between 10% and 54% of young Brits experiment, depending entirely on the holiday destination. Party capitals like Ibiza or Ayia Napa are often responsible for the higher figures.

Dr Lee says teens and young adults should be prepared for a worst-case scenario: the signs and symptoms of a drug overdose. These include:

disorientation, hallucinations, poor balance/incoordination, anxiety, and panic attacks overheating/dehydration sleepiness- unable to stay awake difficulty breathing

In addition, Dr Lee advises applying for a UK Global Health Insurance card (GHIC).

‘They’re free of charge, and entitle you to free medical treatment, or treatment at the same price as locals, when abroad.’

It’s also important to stay hydrated – and that doesn’t mean endless trips to the bar.

‘In the heat, people need more than two litres of water per day, which should be consumed little and often.’

Before going abroad, check if the tap water is suitable for drinking.

As for drinks to avoid, Dr Lee warns against mixing caffeine, alcohol, and energy drinks.

‘Seccy with the girls but keep it safe (Picture: Shutterstock / MandriaPix)

‘This is a highly dangerous combination. Caffeine masks the intoxicating effects of alcohol, and this can cause high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation.’

Like ABTA, Dr Lee states that she would not let her teen go abroad on holiday without appropriate travel insurance.

‘1 in 4 UK travellers go abroad without travel insurance, but this is very risky.

‘Teenagers are a prime group for risk-taking behaviour. They need proper holiday insurance.’

Stories last 24 hours, memories last forever (Picture: Shutterstock / maxbelchenko)

What do the travel experts say?

In her 20s, Helana Jackson worked as cabin crew for Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic.

The now-31-year-old spent the early days of her career jetting off to destinations like New York, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, Canada, and Switzerland.

These days, she works as a micro-influencer, having built a loyal TikTok following by sharing tips on hidden gems and adventurous locations.

All of that to say, she knows a thing or two about staying safe on the road.

For Helana, her best advice is not to post in real-time on social media.

While she recommends youngsters share snapshots of their trip with parents (to help with peace of mind), they should avoid Instagram dumps or Stories until back on UK soil.

Geo-tags and check-ins can reveal a person’s exact location in real-time. For solo travellers, this could make for some vulnerable situations.

Next, Helana advises planning accommodation arrivals in advance to avoid long waiting times — especially at night.

‘Always use reputable taxi firms, and ensure flight times line up with hotel check-ins.’

Helana also suggests ‘travelling with two cards, just in case there’s an issue with one,’ and having a stash of emergency cash.

That Instagram Story can wait a week! (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Communication is also key.

OK, so parents and kids aren’t going to be Whatsapping each other every night. But it’s important to always carry a portable charger and download an ESIM.

The ESIM not only tells the holidaymaker how much they’re spending or roaming, but it also ensures that people back home can stay in touch with them in the event of an emergency.

Finally, check the airline requirements for cabin bag sizes, as ‘no one wants unexpected charges.’

But if it does happen, that emergency cash might just come in handy.

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