One of my best friends, Megan, has been going out with Andrew for several months. They seemed very happy together, but I had begun to notice how obsessed Megan was getting about their relationship. Today when we were talking Megan, seemed very upset; my first thought was that Andrew had broken up with her because she seemed so low, but it when I asked she told me she was upset that Andrew hadn’t texted her once all day.  It was only lunchtime. I was surprised Megan was so upset over such a small thing. Was he required to text her every single minute? Even though a red flag went up in my mind I tried to ignore it, she is my best friend and I wanted to support her. I tried to interest her into doing something fun, but she always said no to every that popped into my head. All she wanted to do was lay on her bed and stare at her phone. Whenever she received a text, she jumped up, but once she read who it was from, she just laid right back down. After an hour of watching her wait for a text from her boyfriend, I knew it was time for me to step in. I told her I was worried about her being so upset over one little text. She didn’t want to hear it.  Then Andrew sent her a text. Suddenly everything changed. Megan became so happy. She wanted to do stuff and have fun just because he had sent her one little text. I became very nervous at this point. I told her to sit down because we needed to talk. This time she listened to me. I told her it was very unhealthy to depend on Andrew to bring her happiness.  She was the only one that could make herself really happy. After a long talk, Megan promised she wouldn’t let her boyfriend have that affect on her. I hope she can.

Hannah, Boise, age 14

I am so confused right now about Emily. I really like her, but the consent texting is beginning to feel like too much. At first I thought it was funny, like how she worried about me. And I liked that she cared. Now though I feel like I’m on a leash. It may seem like I can hang with my friends without Emily, but it’s just an illusion, because she knows, always knows, where I am. It seems like I can never get away from her. Even when I’m with my friends I can count on getting at least one text every ten minutes - “Hey where r u?” or “I miss u a lot right now. You’re with your friends right?” Or sometimes even, “What r u doin right now? Are sure u’re with your friends?” It’s too much. I no longer feel like were in a relationship, and it feels like she is stalking me. I wish I could ignore her texts, but that only makes things worse because then she calls me! If I try to ignore her calls, it makes her go pretty much insane and she will start texting my friends to find out where I am. I can no longer just hang out with my friends. I have let Emily in on every little thing that we are doing. I can no longer do the things I want. Basketball? I have to run off the court to answer her texts. Movies? Always have to text and end up missing half the movie! Fun? Nope I’m always texting. I don’t know if I should break up with her, because I still really like her, but it’s not fun anymore.

Ian, Twin Falls, age 13

It all started when I was texting a few friends. Normal text conversations until a guy asked me to send a picture to him. Of my face? Sure, so I sent him a pic. He started showering me with compliments, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you, you like that. He made me feel good. So when he asked for another picture I sent it. He was flattering me. Then he asked me for a racier pic – saying I had a rockin’ body and he wanted to see it. He had got me in deep; I was almost wrapped around his little finger. I wanted more compliments; I needed to be validated. I was about to send a nude pic, but then I thought about the consequences. If I sent that picture, it would be out in cyberspace; almost anyone could see it, and what if he sent it to his friends? What if my parents found out? I expressed my doubts to him.  He told me he wouldn’t pass it on, that it was just for his eyes. He said he would delete it afterwards and it would be gone forever. This guy was convincing and I almost fell for it. I was so very, very close. But consequences kept popping into my mind; I hate to admit it, but I was conflicted. I wish I could say I never thought about sending the picture, I wish I could say I wasn’t tempted. But I was, and I almost gave in. His words lured me in, but knowing what was important to me stopped me. Yeah, the guy was mad, but I am so glad I didn’t send him a racy picture. I’ve regretted even thinking about sending one, and I can’t imagine how I’d feel if I’d went through with it.

Sarah, Nampa, age 14