A teenager’s first trip away without their parents is a core memory experience.
But one that could all too easily become tainted with sadness and anger if safety precautions aren’t taken – even the most picture-perfect locations can be patrolled by scammers and thieves.
Luckily, martial artist Matthew Collins has stepped forward with advice to help teens enjoy their adventures – and avoid spending time away filling out police reports.
Matt is dedicated to helping youngsters – he teaches 1,400 young students a week across England as CEO of Samurai Kickboxing and has written a book called Eleven Life Lessons: Empower Your Child to be Safe and Independent. The tome, says Matt, shows parents how to make their child happy, confident, resilient, independent and safe.
Here, Matt continues his work, pulling no punches and showing teenagers how to steer their way through a holiday and come out smiling the other side, from carrying ‘decoy wallets’ to planning exit routes and using secret code words to escape dodgy situations…
Be savvy with your phone – keep it tucked away
Martial arts expert Matthew Collins (above) – author of ‘Eleven Life Lessons: Empower Your Child to be Safe and Independent’ – has revealed travel tips for teenagers
Matthew, from Jersey, says: ‘Using your phone in public can make you a target. Be discreet when checking maps or making calls. Keep your mobile tucked away in unfamiliar areas, especially in crowded places like markets or tourist hotspots.’
Dress to blend in
‘Don’t stand out as a tourist,’ warns Matthew. ‘Flashy clothing, jewellery and expensive gadgets scream “easy target” to opportunistic thieves. In environments where you might be vulnerable, dress like the locals, or at least understated, and keep valuables out of sight to avoid unwanted attention.’
Group up – but not always
Matthew advises: ‘Be conscious that your own awareness is likely to reduce when you are in a big group. Sometimes it’s safer to split into smaller groups’
Matthew says: ‘Whilst travelling in a group can make you safer, it’s not always the case. Be mindful of how the group may present itself to those looking for an easy target – how individuals are acting and what they are doing. Be conscious that your own awareness is likely to reduce when you are in a big group. Sometimes it’s safer to split into smaller groups or even be on your own if the group is behaving badly.’
Learn the lay of the land
The martial arts expert advises teens to ‘get familiar’ with a ‘new place’ before their arrival. He explains: ‘Check online guides, read up on local customs and note potential scams that target tourists. Knowing the culture and relevant safety tips to your destination can help you avoid uncomfortable or unsafe situations.’
Mind your money
‘Don’t flash your cash!’ warns Matthew. He suggests ‘splitting up cash and cards’ and ‘storing them in multiple places on your body’. The expert adds: ‘If you can, pre-load a finance card to limit your need for ATMs. Carry a “decoy wallet” with a small amount of cash to avoid bigger losses if you’re targeted.’
Be aware of scams
Keen traveller Matthew (pictured above in Utsunomiya, Japan) advises teenagers to ‘know your exits’ in cafes and restaurants
Matthew says: ‘Understand what scams are common in the area you’re visiting. Tourist-heavy spots can be breeding grounds for hustles, so keep your wits about you! If something feels too good to be true, it probably is!’
Get organised
Matthew urges teen travellers to ‘keep copies of important documents like passports and travel tickets saved digitally’. He adds: ‘If you lose them, this can save a lot of time and hassle.’
Eleven Life Lessons: Empower Your Child to be Safe and Independent is published by Authors & Co
Know your exits
The author says: ‘Whether you’re in a café, restaurant or even a train, choose your seat wisely. Sit with exits easily accessible, face the room, and keep your back to the wall. In buses, planes or cars, aisle seats are often safer. Always know where you are in relation to escape routes.
‘In your accommodation, make a mental note of where the exits are and test if they open and can be accessed. This simple habit can save you valuable time in emergencies and gives peace of mind in unfamiliar environments.’
Make an emergency plan
‘When travelling with friends, set up a meeting point in case you get separated and your phones don’t work,’ says Matthew.
The martial arts expert continues: ‘Agree on a “safe word” to use if either of you feels uncomfortable and agree to leave the situation immediately if it’s used. It’s also a good idea to know where you can get help such as at the police station.
‘In a country where you cannot speak the language this may include visitor information centres or places other foreigners hang out, such as cafes and tourist attractions.’
Stay in touch
The expert says: ‘Make sure someone knows where you are and what you’re doing. Share your itinerary with family back home. Using a virtual SIM card can help you stay connected and is especially handy in emergency.’
