May 2011 'News of Hope'

This month everyone is looking eagerly towards proms, graduation and summer!
Fun times, celebrations, FREEDOM! Of course, with all 3 come choices about alcohol, drugs, sex - PARTYING. Time to temper our teens excitement with a dose of "consequential thinking" - a little emotional awareness and responsibility that leads to WISE and HEALTHY CHOICES!

Much as you may hate it, parents, it's important to bring up the subjects NOW, before prom, before senior celebrations, before mistakes are made and problems happen.
We'll refresh your arsenal with websites that help parents "have that conversation," plus new topics that are CRITICAL to communicate about, like SEXTING.

So, let's get prepared to have good times, make marvelous memories, and help our the teens make it through to the mid -20's when their cortex is fully grown and so may be their critical thinking skills!

MAY NEWSLETTER CONTENT
• Update on SEXTING - Criminal Teen Trend
• Choose RESPECT - a message for Guys on Relationships
• Help for Parents - Talk to Teens BEFORE Prom and Graduation about Alcohol and Drinking
• Announcements in Support of Others Good Works:
Enhance Existing Peer Programs - NAPPP Trainings this summer

Pictures Above:
Pic 1: Susie with members of The Raise Foundation at their annual public event to raise awareness during National Child Abuse Awareness month. Susie shared a bit of inspiration plus fun-filled hip hop dance with kids and parents at The Great Park, Orange County, California
Pic 2 & 3: Susie with several members of the San Bernardino County Probation Department who coordinated a Health Fair and Conference day to educate and support foster teens soon to be on their way to independent living. Kimberly Epps, Supervising Probation Officer and coordinator for the event, stands left of Susie in Pic 2. It was a powerful event for 220 high school youth. Pic 3 illustrates the topic, SEXTING, of one of the critical information workshops the youth attended. Susie fully enjoyed sharing LEGACY OF HOPE® with this crowd of highly interactive and emotionally conscious youth.

  Access 12 years of newsletter articles on our website!
 

Summary of Workshop by Deputy Frank Navarro, Sheriff’s Department, Office of Public Affairs, San Bernardino, CA – Health Fair for Foster/Probation Youth, April 30, 2011
By Susie Vanderlip
 
We’ve all been hearing more and more about sexting – when tweens and teens combine texting with flirting, it can quickly become “sexting.” Sexting is the exchange of naked or semi-naked photos over cell phones. The problem is that sending such photos of minors (under 18) is a criminal charge of child pornography, even when sent by a minor.
 
There are some cities/states that are going by the intent of the law and not charging youth with felonies, but many continue to go the letter of the law and ARE charging youth who send naked or semi-naked photos of themselves or their girlfriends/boyfriends/EX’s with felonies, prison sentences and a lifetime of regret and recrimination because they are labeled lifetime SEX OFFENDERS. Deputy Navarro stated that child pornography laws are very strict in the United States and, though intended for legitimate adult pedophiles, teens are very vulnerable to breaking these laws.
 
The law hasn’t caught up with technology. Likely it’s a teen’s intent is strictly to share a form of connection with their partner. The serious problems occur when the couple breaks up and one of the partners is enraged, sending off a semi-nude/nude picture to all of their friends, uploading to Facebook and calling them names. Or a proud teen may send a photo of their partner to a few friends who send it to a few friends who upload it to the Internet. Suddenly, a private picture becomes very public, and other teens waste no time in commenting and labeling “whore,” “slut,” etc. The potential for a teen to feel embarrassed, ashamed, humiliated, and subsequent self-loathing has led teens to depression, cutting and even to commit suicide.
 
According to Deputy Navarro, an expert in the field, about 20% of teens admit participating in sending such pictures by cell phone. 22% of said they sent photos.
15% of boys say they’ve disseminated photos when the couple broke up.
Some middle schools report sexting as their #1 behavioral problem!
 
Sadly, such photos can stay on the Internet – they are impossible to remove from some vast distributions. When teens look for college entrance or even jobs after college graduation, employers search Facebook and names, these photos are known to destroy opportunities for youth.
 
Preventing SEXTING nightmares begins with Parents:

1. Parents are advised to set up a rule when a teen gets a cell phone: There will be inspections of phone texts and photos by the parents. It is suggested the teen be present so a discussion can occur if any texts or photos are questionable. This is the teaching moment. Consequences should occur if SEXTING photos are found,
2. KNOW how your teen’s phone works! Know the capabilities of the technology you are putting into your teen’s hands. Make it your requirement that for them to have a “smart” phone, you must know how to use it as well.
3. EDUCATE your kids on SEXTING. Discussion won’t increase sexting, it deters it.
4. If risqué photos are found on your teen’s phone, consider home discipline:
   Confiscate the phone until the teen can demonstrate better decision-making.
    
   Some may ask, What’s the worst that can happen?” Sadly, quite a bit:
   1. Teen suicide
   2. Teen violence/gun shots in retaliation.
   3. Felony charges/prison sentences/lifetime labeling as a registered sex offender
   4. Loss of college entry, job loss, castigation in society, unable to live in certain areas as sex offender. 

Deputy Navarro’s workshop was sobering. Teens don’t come preloaded with mind-ware that makes them understand the consequences of their behavior. In fact, quite the opposite.  This is a topic worth discussing with your kids and checking cell phones to make sure their hormones and natural flirtations don’t turn out tragic.

HELP FOR PARENTS
Talk to Teens BEFORE Prom and Graduation about Alcohol and Drinking

Talking with teens about alcohol and drinking can be difficult for parents -- but emergency room doctors and MADD just made it a little easier.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) teamed up with MADD to create and release a new, free handbook as part of MADD's "Power of Parents, It's Your Influence" campaign. "Parents are the first line of defense against underage drinking, but it can be daunting to know exactly what to say. This booklet helps guide parents through these conversations with their kids," said Dr. Sandra Schneider, president of ACEP.

According to HealthDay, ACEP said that when youth drink before turning 21, the likelihood increases that they will have trouble in school, be assaulted, get in a car accident involving alcohol, "drown or fall, [or] abuse alcohol later in life."

MADD's parent handbook will help parents start what could be a life-saving conversation with their child. 

 Watch helpful video and get handbook on Madd site HERE.

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NAPPP - National Association of Peer Program Professionals

 NConsidering expanding or starting a peer program on campus for your middle or high schools teens? Contact NAPPP for summer trainings to Enhance Existing Peer Programs or even become a trainer of peer program professionals.
(Though not affiliated in any way, we at LEGACY are strong proponents of Peer Programs and support the work of NAPPP.)
http://www.peerprogramprofessionals.org/Training_Institutes/