Texting and Sexting: Everyone's Doing It
RSSMary Mueller, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal
What Tiger Woods thought were personal messages were exposed by the media last year, and texting and social media posts are reported to have played a large role in the bullying and subsequent suicide of Massachusetts teen Phoebe Prince. But despite these and other headline news stories on the topic, young adults, whose preferred form of communication is electronic messaging, are often unaware of the consequences that inappropriate texts can have on their lives and on the lives of others. Two films, B Careful When U Txt: The Dangers of Texting and Sexting (2009; 19 min) and The Dangers of Sexting: What Teens Need to Know (2010; 17 min; both Human Relations Media), provide tweens and young teens with an unvarnished look at the serious, unintended costs of careless texting. In B Careful, a fast-paced production for grades five through eight, two young hosts review cell-phone and text-messaging guidelines, and discuss how extensive and/or late-night use of cell phones; text messaging to cheat in class; and texting while driving, or riding with someone who is, can be risky, both emotionally and physically. The hosts introduce brief scenarios illustrating these behaviors and later revisit them with examples of the participants making safer or wiser choices. The dangers that can result from predatory adults who use text messaging to communicate with teens are also considered, as are the legal and moral repercussions of bullying and the sending of sexual images and messages via cell phone. A poll cited in the The Dangers of Sexting suggests that "about 30% of all teens" have sent or received sexually explicit texts. Many don't realize that the practice can result in a tainted reputation, forfeiture of college and employment opportunities, arrest for harassment or child pornography, or a sex-offender label. The film focuses on just how much damage the "'electronic sharing of sexually explicit photographs, videos or text messages'" can do. This sobering video for grades 7 through 12, which features comments from several teens who share their experiences, will help viewers understand the emotional and legal perils involved. Their stories serve as powerful cautionary tales for teens who might think that sexting falls into the category of a practical joke or is a private matter between consenting parties. How quickly comments or images can go viral and the permanent nature of the technology are explored. The film's live-action footage is supplemented by on-screen graphics that reinforce its message. Both DVDs offer extensive teachers' guides with pre- and post-viewing tests for the classroom, reproducible fact sheets ("Cybersafety Basics," "Sexting Myths," "Cell Phone Dangers") and suggestions for activities designed to help teens assess their own behaviors and develop strategies to avoid improper use of cell phones and/or extricate themselves from difficult situations. These include questions for debate, worksheets on developing responses to inappropriate messages, and suggestions for research activities. The Dangers of Sexting also contains a 15-minute segment for parents and professionals that examines the issue from an adult perspective and encourages parents to monitor their children's texting and be proactive in setting limits and consequences for negative behaviors. Many adults simply can't understand the fascination with texting, but they are beginning to recognize how unsupervised and inappropriate texting can harm their students and children. These films, useful in both classroom and counseling sessions, will educate all the parties involved. They complement campaigns such as MTV's "Redraw the Line Challenge,"which informs young people about the types of digital abuse and offers (cash) prizes for effective projects that help teens resist peer pressure. These resources present important messages–messages that all teens should hear and heed.
