When it comes to protecting skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, sunscreen is one of the most accessible and effective tools. The question arises: do sunscreen habits begin in childhood, or are they primarily adopted later in life?
Research suggests that sunscreen behaviors often develop early and tend to persist into adulthood. A 2019 study found that children who regularly used sunscreen were more likely to have parents who emphasized or displayed sun protection (Coffin et al., 2019). Positive attitudes about sunscreen and an understanding of the positive effects, stem from early education and role modeling by caregivers (Kanellis and Kanellis, 2020).
Unfortunately, many children are still not consistently using sunscreen. A CDC 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) found that only about 10% of high school students reported always using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher when outside for more than an hour on a sunny day (CDC, 2014). The 2021 YRBS study found that 64.4% of high school students reported experiencing at least one sunburn in the past 12 months (CDC, 2023). Data suggests that sunscreen use among children and teens remains inconsistent, highlighting a critical opportunity for intervention.
Dermatologists and public health advocates stress that establishing sunscreen use as a routine habit in early childhood can lead to lifelong sun-safe behaviors. Programs like school-based UV education have been shown to increase understanding of sun protection, promoting more frequent sunscreen application and reducing sunburn incidents (Tembunde et al., 2024). Expanding sun safety education in schools, pediatric clinics, and community programs could help close the gap and instill protective habits before harmful UV exposure accumulates.
Sunscreen habits DO start early. Fostering those habits in childhood may be one of the most effective strategies for preventing skin cancer later in life.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2013. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 63(4), 1–168. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6304a1.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://nccd.cdc.gov/YouthOnline/App/Results.aspx?TT=C&OUT=0&SID=HS&QID=QNSUNBURN&LID=XX&YID=2021
Coffin, T., Wu, Y. P., Mays, D., Rini, C., Tercyak, K. P., & Bowen, D. (2019). Relationship of parent-child sun protection among those at risk for and surviving with melanoma: Implications for family-based cancer prevention. Translational behavioral medicine, 9(3), 480–488. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibz032
Kanellis, V. G., & Kanellis, A. L. (2020). Parental and primary caregiver's attitudes towards sun safe hat and sunscreen use in children: A study in a public playground. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 61(2), e186–e190. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajd.13282
Tembunde, Y., Brown, M., Tembunde, M., & Cohen, B. (2024). Impact of a Youth Sun Safety Educational Program. Dermatology practical & conceptual, 14(3), e2024133. https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.1403a133
