Crete is an easy place to fall in love with. The island’s social life is famously relaxed. For families with teenagers, however, one aspect of that holiday atmosphere is worth understanding before they arrive.
Recent incidents in Rethymno and Chania show just how easily a holiday night can turn into something very different.
In one case, a 15-year-old used an adult’s identification to enter a venue and drink. In another, a 16-year-old altered the information on his digital identification in Gov Wallet so that he appeared to be an adult.
And then there was a 15-year-old found on the streets of Chania intoxicated.
These are not stories about some distant problem happening somewhere else. They are the kind of situations parents traveling to Crete should know are possible.
A teenager on holiday may have considerably more freedom than they do at home. They may be staying in a resort where bars, restaurants and nightlife are all within walking distance. They may be traveling with friends or meeting other young people at the hotel or on the beach. And parents who are themselves relaxing on holiday may reasonably assume that age restrictions will make alcohol difficult for their children to obtain.
Recent cases have involved not only teenagers but also venue operators and, in some cases, their parents.
The Greek authorities have been stepping up enforcement of the rules governing alcohol sales to minors. Digital age-verification systems are also being used to make it harder for underage customers to pass themselves off as adults.
But no system is perfect, particularly when teenagers are determined to get around it. And the consequences can be serious.
Doctors in Crete have treated teenagers for acute intoxication, with some cases involving children as young as 13 and youngsters arriving at hospital in extremely serious condition.
If your teenager is going out without you, know where they are going and who they are with. Don’t assume that being under 18 automatically means they cannot get alcohol. And don’t assume that a holiday destination’s relaxed atmosphere means that nothing can go wrong.
Crete is wonderful for teenagers too. They can swim, explore, eat ridiculous amounts of souvlaki, stay up too late, and make memories they will talk about for years.
Just remember that the island’s nightlife is there too.
And if you’re bringing teenagers to Crete this summer, it’s worth having that conversation before they discover it for themselves.
