THE DIGITAL AGE:

Think before you post or hit send

Objectives

Examine digital dating abuse Define digital disrespect Create strategies to reduce risk of digital

sexual exploitation

What is Digital Dating Abuse?

Unwanted and repeated phone calls, texts, or instant messages

Pressure to share private or embarrassing pictures/videos

• That’s NotCool.com

Electronics and Real Life Nearly one-fourth of teens (22%) admit that

technology makes them personally more forward and aggressive.

More than one-third of teens (38%) say exchanging sexy content makes dating or hooking up with others more likely.

nearly one-third of teens (29%) believe those exchanging sexy content are “expected” to date or hook up.• From the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy &

Cosmogirl.com

Digital Disrespect

Spreading negative or embarrassing dirt (true, untrue, or unknown) via text, pic, or video about someone behind their back or to their face.

Source: AThinLine.org

3 Questions to Ask Yourself about Digital Disrespect:

1. Would it be okay if this was happening offline? As in, would you walk up to a group of people you barely know and announce that you heard that one of them cheated on their bf at Battle of the Bands with that hot bass player? Then why would you post it online? Here's your chance to be the bigger man or woman. Opt out and call it out when you see it.

Source: AThinLine.org

3 Questions to Ask Yourself about Digital Disrespect:

2. Will spreading this information come back to haunt me? Assume that if you're spreading rumors, gossip or lies about somebody online, someone will kindly return the favor. Call it digital karma.

Source: AThinLine.org

3 Questions to Ask Yourself about Digital Disrespect:

3. Isn't it just harmless fun? In the moment, sure—but since online comments can roll way farther than you mean them to, your random comment about someone else's private life could end up blowing their big break someday, when a prospective employer digs up old dirt. So why shovel it in the first place?

Source: AThinLine.org

What Could Happen?

The rumor going around about you and the cheerleader's boyfriend turns into an online war—and you're a prisoner. You fail half your classes cause you're preoccupied and stressed out. So long, scholarship!

Source: AThinLine.org

What Could Happen?

The rumor that you started about the cheerleader's boyfriend comes back to haunt you--you get defriended by most of your network. So long, social life.

Source: AThinLine.org

What Could Happen?

The cheerleader's boyfriend, who's a great friend of yours, gets trashed online (and dumped by her) even though the rumors aren't true, and he's so depressed he quits the team and stops going out. Bummer.

Source: AThinLine.org

What about “sexting”?

Sexually explicit photos sent electronically, usually between cell phones

Sexually explicit messages sent electronically, usually between cell phones

What’s the problem? It’s illegal

Considered child pornography if the image is someone under 18

It’s digital, there for life You have no control of

where that image ends up: it can “go viral”

It may affect future career or college admission

It may affect future relationships

"I want to apologize to my fans, whose support and trust means the world to

me. I am embarrassed over this situation and

regret having ever taken these photos. I am

thankful for the support of my family and friends.“

Vanessa Hudgens

Draw Your Line Unhide. If you wouldn't say it to a person's face,

don't say it online or text it.* Disengage. If someone's talking about you,

don't respond—everything you say just fuels the fire. In this case, silence is golden.*

Secure your stuff. Find the privacy settings for all the networks you're part of, and use them. They're there for a reason.*

Save everything. If you're being harassed online, save the messages, posts, or comments so that you can back up requests for blocking or even a protective order (should it come to that).*

Notify a trusted adult if you receive anything that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.

*Source: AThinLine.org