Dr Lucy Foulkes is an academic psychologist at the University of Oxford, and her new book draws on decades of research to reveal why teens behave they way they do.

Adolescence is a time many of us might want to forget: full of self doubt, peer pressure, bullying, and self consciousness.

It's also a time of intense friendships, first love, risk taking and self discovery.

Dr Lucy Foulkes is an academic psychologist at the University of Oxford, where she leads research into adolescent mental health and social development.

In her new book, Coming of Age, she draws on decades of research to reveal why teens behave the way they do.

Dr Foulkes says even though it's terrifying for parents, we need to let our teens take some risks - and recognise that much of what happens in adolescence is normal and healthy

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details