Digital technology is a part of your life - cell phones, instant messaging (AIM), Internet, Facebook or My Space, and Twitter.  Even though you can connect more easily with your friends, BF, or GF, digital technology can be used to cyber bully, harass, intimidate, or engage teens in sexually explicit or inappropriate exchanges. 

Cell Phones - Don’t let anyone make you feel bad or embarrass, threaten, or abuse you through your cell phone! Don’t give your phone number to anyone you don’t know.  Don’t answer any calls or reply to any texts unless you know the caller or sender.  And hey, no prank calling!

Constant Texting - Ever feel like texting goes from cool to annoying?  If you are constantly interrupted when you are doing homework, spending time with family or friends, or even sleeping, don’t be afraid to turn your phone off.  If you are busy doing something, it’s not rude to wait to send a reply later.  At night, consider leaving the phone in the kitchen for charging until the next morning.

Textual Harassment – Don’t send or forward embarrassing, threatening, or abusive voice messages or texts to anyone.  Spreading rumors, being mean, or bullying with a cell phone, while less personal than being mean face-to-face, is no less harmful or wrong.  And, secretly taking photos or video clips of another person invades that person’s privacy.  If you receive an embarrassing, threatening, or abusive text or photograph, don’t send a response.  Responding might encourage the sender and know that the sender may have broken the law, so don’t hesitate to tell a trusted adult.

Sexting – Sending, possessing, or forwarding sexually explicit photographs is against the law.  If you receive any photographs that make you uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult.  If you take a sexually explicit picture of yourself and send it to someone, even someone you trust, you don't have any control of where it will end up.  Keep in mind that the person you sent it to may send it to their friends or upload it on the Internet for everyone to see.

Cell phones can be part of an unhealthy relationship. Some things to watch out for:
• Constant texting or calls asking “where r u?,” “who r u with?,” or “what r u doing?”
• Feeling like you have to answer text messages or calls right away
• Feeling like the texts you receive have gone from caring to controlling
• Being anxious or afraid to be without your phone
• Feeling pressured to constantly be on or around your phone, even while with friends, or while sleeping
• Not being allowed to answer your phone – even when it is your parent – when you are with your friends or BF or GF
• Being pressured to send inappropriate texts or pics 

Facebook and MySpace

Social networking sites allow you to connect with friends and express yourself by exchanging IM’s, emails, or posting comments, photographs, or artwork.  Don’t add “friends” to your list if you don’t know them. 

And remember, you can’t take it back.  If you post inappropriate or sexually explicit comments or photos or record something on a webcam, it’s on the Internet forever and can be forwarded to an unlimited number of users.  Even if you have your settings set to private, it is not hard for one of your “friends” to cut and paste something and forward it on.  Remember, once you post a comment or photo, you lose control and can never get it back. And, hey, if you are going to take online quizzes, be selective – remember your answers are out there forever.