Nowadays young people are often shape their behaviours based on the influence of their age-mates. Some believe that peer pressure plays an important role, while others argue that it has drawbacks.
Personally, I think that influence of age-mates has more cons than pros. I can prove it by adding some examples: be affected by someone can cause a loss of self, individual traits, also, peer group may engage negative behaviors, like bullying, abuse, this can normalize such actions.
Unfortunately, such negative cases happen more often than positive ones. Of course, there are advantages some positive moments, but they are few. For instance, being part of group can make a sense of belonging and motivate, support each other. Also, it give sense to share common interests and give new opportunities to achieve goals. Moreover, interacting with peers helps young people develop essential social skills, like communication, teamwork, empathy.
To summarise, I can say that young people should think critically and do not be addicted by peers. When, there will be balance, but if not – drawbacks overweight the advantages.