1. tXTNG & sXTNG
6th Grade Health
TXTNG & SXTNG

2. Cell Phones Not for talking anymore
Texting, surfing, Facebook, games, apps, ringtones, pictures, video, music, more
Cell phones are the #1 form of communication for teens (Pew, 2010)
However, with these powerful tools come powerful responsibilities
#1 form of communication for teens
Txtng, srfng, fb, gms, apps, rngtns, pics, vdeo, msc…

3. Positives Safety Easy access to parents and friends
Helps teens be more independent
Apps can be helpful tools
Easy access to the Web
Photos and video readily accessible
Safety
Access
Independence
Apps
Web
Pics
Video

4. Negatives Time waster or distraction from more important things
May engage in sexting or other inappropriate actions
May cheat on tests
Cyberbullying
Apps can be harmful tools
Easy access to the Web
Photos and video readily accessible
Can be expensive
Tone/Inflection cannot be read through a text
Time
Distraction
Sxtng
Cheat
Cyberbullying
Apps
Web
Pics
$$$

5. What are you doing?
Nothing, What’s Up?
What’s wrong?
Can’t talk

6. DNT TXT N DRV TXTING TIPS from AT&T Be Smart – don’t text and drive
Be in Control – you make the choice
Be Caring – don’t send a text to those you know are driving
Be Focused – focus on driving
Be an Example – you send a wrong message by texting and driving
Be Proactive – take a pledge not to text and drive – encourage friends to do the same
Take a pledge – don’t text and drive. Invite your friends to do the same thing.

7. DNT TXT N DRV Legal Consequences
Current Texas law restricts all drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle
Current Texas law prohibits any driver from using a wireless communication device within a school zone
Current San Antonio law prohibits texting and driving
Txtng & drvng is agnst the law.

8. DNT TXT N DRV Possible Criminal Charges
Vehicular Manslaughter – felony charge that holds a person liable for any death that occurs because of his or her criminal negligence or a violation of traffic safety laws
Vehicular Homicide – involves a death that results from the reckless or negligent operation of a vehicle
These charges carry varying sentences, depending on the judge and/or jury.
Txtng and drvng carries possible criminal charges.

9. DNT TXT N DRV Today Show – texting caught on tape
Take a pledge – don’t text and drive. Invite your friends to do the same thing.

10. DNT TXT N DRV AT&T Don’t Text While Driving
Take a pledge – don’t text and drive. Invite your friends to do the same thing.

11. Tips for Cell Phone Usage
Don’t give out location
Facebook check-in
Visual environment clues
Don’t reveal your/friends number online
Don’t take pictures in private settings
All cell records are permanent and can be traced or tracked.
Location
Number privacy
Permanent records

12. Sxtng
Sexting = send sexually revealing picture of themselves or send sexually explicit messages via text message
These compromising messages or images are easily posted on a social networking site or sent to others via or text
Sender or subject of message may end up feeling humiliated or harassed by others
Today’s teens are comfortable with documenting their lives online.

13. Sxtng Your Photo Fate www.netsmartz.org/reallifestories/yourphotofate
The scoop
The dangers
Once a picture has been sent, it can spread rapidly, and it is out there forever.
Even when a picture is erased or deleted, there will always be a copy or image of it somewhere,
in computer or phone memory and backups,
or copied and sent or kept by others.
Don’t let others decide
where your image ends up…
Think before you post.

14. Sxtng Sending sexual images to minors is against the law
Sexting, between minors, can be charged as a misdemeanor, meaning possible jail time
Charges usually fall under child pornography, pornography, or online solicitation
Minors who are convicted also are required to take a state-sponsored class about the dangers of sexting
This class has to be taken with a parent
Sending sexual images to minors is against the law.

15. Sxtng What if I send a picture and then regret it?!
Tell your parents, a campus counselor or administrator, or another trusted adult immediately. Law enforcement should be contacted and might be able to stop the spread of the picture.
What if I receive a picture that is being shared?
Same thing –notify a trusted adult immediately. Law enforcement will also need to be contacted.
Sending sexual images to minors is against the law.

16. 5 Things
Don’t assume anything you send or post is going to remain private.
There is no changing your mind in cyberspace – anything you send or post will never truly go away.
Don’t give in to the pressure to do something that makes you uncomfortable, even in cyberspace.
Consider the recipient’s reaction.
Nothing is truly anonymous.
5 things to think about before pressing send…

17. MTV A Thin Line chk it out
MTV A Thin Line chk it out
MTV has started a campaign called A Thin Line to empower teens to “identify, respond to, and stop the spread of digital abuse.”

18. REFERENCES AT&T website YouTube – video clips Car & Driver magazine
CNBC articles
Texas Penal Code Chapter 19
Cosmo Girl
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Common Sense Media
Where did all this wonderful information come
from?