"Harmful Trends" Speaks To Teens

Chances are if you don't have a teenager, you may be one, or know one. In today's world, full of choices and decisions, making a wise and smart choice might be difficult. Gone are the days of "Leave It to Beaver" and "My Three Sons". Also, gone are the days of "Opie" with "Aunt Bea" keeping a watchful eye on you in those rough and formative teen years.

Nothing hurts worse than the reality that our children can be a challenge at times, and sometimes...a pain in the patootsie. How we react during the times when they are a challenge can determine how much, if at all, they will trust us when they need us most.

They just don't know it.

They may not know it, but we have their best interests at heart.

Such is the point of the program presented at the Malta High School on Tuesday evening by counselors Kate Webb and Kelly Cederberg. The topic this month was "Harmful Trends Among Teens;" and the counselors were assisted by Deputy Matthew Taylor and Deputy Faith Robinson of the Phillips County Sheriff's Office. After an introduction to the materials and topics to be touched upon, a video with Chris McClure was shown to the public in attendance.

The concerns presented in the video were texting, cyberbullying and geotagging. Texting is an electronic communication between two or more people, while cyberbullying is the act of being a bully using a cell phone. Geotagging is the process of your phone adding your location to your photos and disclosing when you post them online.

While those acts are enough to add concern for the safety of your child(ren), take it one step higher and add sexting to their knowledge and actions, and you may have your hands full. Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos via cell phone, computer, or any digital device.

Don't be naïve to think it only happens in big towns and don't rule out it might be happening with one of your children. More likely than not, your child is spending too much time on their cell phone already; when they get bored or depressed they will seek attention from others. Sometimes interaction in that world and isn't with anyone you as a parent know. When they start seeking new friends, it only takes a minute to access a site and become friends with those that seek to be friends with someone just like your son. Or daughter.

As a parent/guardian of a young child you should know who their friends are. Have you met the child? Have you met their family? Ask questions before you are confronted by the law enforcement when they ask you if your child is running around or associating with, or texting, someone in particular.

It is far too easy to think your child will make wise choices. They don't always. Nor do we as parents.

Years ago, back when my family was growing and I had three in school, they were all busy and with friends a lot. And this was before the day of cell phones. We trusted their judgment, thinking we had provided a strong family life values.

Yet, one day an officer asked if they could come to my work place in the morning and visit with me, and I agreed to meet her. When that officer asked me if my child was friends with XX, I stated not really, although we knew of the individual. I was then told I needed to stop allowing my child to go to the home, as the situation involved charges of sexual nature and it was a quick decision to end the interactions and activities at that home. In the modern world of today, the actions would fall into the category of sexting.

I spent over 17 years as a volunteer guardian in the courts for abused and neglected children, I am quite aware of the situations children are placed in innocently it might seem, yet some have the power and control over the minds and actions of the vulnerable through something as easy to access as a cell phone.

Several safety tips were given at the presentation. They include 1) do not allow the children to take the phone to the bathroom or bedroom. Set up charging stations outside of the bedroom.

2) Limit use of phone and shut off activity by 10 pm til - am when they are getting ready for school. 3) Keep up on current apps. 4) Check accounts and social networks. 5) Talk to your kids. Listen!

Drugs are in our quiet little town as well. Meth has no boundaries, nor do fentanyl or heroin. Marijuana is easy to find and so are dealers.

An average youth spends seven hours a day on screen time – using their cellphone! Take time to shut the tv off at night and spend time with your kids. They are pretty neat people.

The next training is Thursday, Jan. 12th at 7 pm in the high school auditorium.