About 24 percent of apprehended shoplifters are teens between 13 and 17 years old. They may shoplift for many reasons, but there's no way around the fact that shoplifting is stealing — and in most places there are heavy penalties for it, including being arrested and possibly charged with a crime. What might seem like an innocent prank can actually affect a person's future, including the chances of getting a job.

If you were to ask teenagers caught shoplifting "Why did you do it"? the most frequent reply would be "I don't know". The reasons teens shoplift vary, but most commonly it ts because their friends shoplift and they want to look cool and daring to be part of the group. Some do it because they just want things their classmates have but can't afford them or they just want to see if they can get away with it. They may also do it as a way to challenge authority or be nonconformist. Or they may get a rush out of doing something risky that has the potential to get them in serious trouble. Others do it as a way to get attention from parents or friends - they feel unworthy, angry, depressed, unattractive or not accepted.

Getting caught shoplifting can be a lot more serious than people may think. Some of the things that can happen to shoplifters are: being arrested and paraded through a store in handcuffs; facing charges for theft; being banned from stores or malls; getting a criminal record or their names into a national database, which can make it harder to get a job or get into college. But people don't have to get caught for shoplifting to affect their lives. Some people may feel guilty or ashamed of what they've done. It can cost the person self-respect or the respect of others. Sometimes people lose friends who decide they don't want to be close to someone who doesn't have the same values

It can be hard to raise tough topics like shoplifting with a friend, but you must speak up, Don’t give your friend a lecture, put him or her down, or be too judgmental. Just say something like “I don't think it's right to take things without paying.” Show that you are concerned and that you don't want your friend to get hurt in the long run. Many teens simply don't know how serious the penalties for shoplifting can be. Besides, saying nothing can send a friend the message that you're OK with the behavior.