Teens learn a great deal about themselves through friendships. Rather than beginning with one person’s name or a verdict about a relationship, a parent can begin with standards that belong in any friendship: respect, honesty, the ability to say no, and room for mistakes and repair.
Questions that open the door
“How do you know a friend respects you?”, “What happens when you disagree?”, and “Who could you ask for help if you felt unsafe?” These are not test questions. They invite a language a teen can use later.
Separate conflict from danger
Ordinary conflict can teach apology and boundaries. Pressure, humiliation, threats, isolation from others, or fear need a trusted adult and an appropriate safety or local support step. Make that message clear without alarmism.
Today’s next step
Share one example from your own life about a healthy friendship or a boundary you respected, then leave room for your teen to decide whether they want to talk.