UNPOPULAR OPINION Teens who feel forced to change just to avoid punishment aren’t learning better decision-making —they’re reacting to control, not building internal motivation. It erodes trust and increases secrecy. Teens may pretend to be more cooperative when punished but they feel justified being sneakier. It triggers the “forbidden fruit effect.” The more we restrict something, the more desirable it becomes. Taking the phone can actually increase a teen’s emotional attachment to it-especial