'Cool kids' at school may not be so cool when they grow up and are at greater risk of relationship and drug problems in later life, a new study suggests.The Live Science study followed 184 kids from when they were 13 until they were 23 and found that teens who acted 'old for their age' were deemed more popular by their friends.
But by age 22 many former 'cool kids' were perceived as being less competent at managing their relationships or getting along with peers.
'Cool kids' were also more likely to be criminals and develop substance abuse problems aged 21 to 23.
The researchers speculated that teens who 'act cool' to make more friends end up less socially skilled because they did not learn more positive ways of interacting with people.
