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Last week I participated in an online webinar with www.PreventConnect.org for an educational offering called www.That'sNotCool.org.  This is a Campaign Tools Website for Teen Dating Abuse Prevention Efforts. It was developed by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, in partnership with the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women and the Advertising Council. The age group targeted is the ‘transitional teen’ aged 13-15 years old, moving from Middle schools into High schools, and who are becoming more frequently exposed to older kids and their dating relationships.

The campaign objective with That’s Not Cool focuses on preventing controlling or abusive behavior occurring within the digital universe and encourages teens to draw their own lines about what is, or is not, acceptable relationship behavior.  Since the January 2009 campaign launch, That’s Not Cool has engaged hundreds of thousands of teens in teen dating abuse prevention, both online and on-the-ground.

What are some of the unique issues facing teens in relationships today?

Some of the responses from participants were:

*peer pressure * lack of experience* poor adult role models * technology * wanting to be loved * no sex education* social pressures * texting / IM/ mobile phones / internet * media * fear * bullying * gay / lesbian /transgender * alcohol & drugs *

Facts about Digital Dating Abuse

*1 in 4 teens in a relationship have been called names, harassed or put down by their partner though cell phones and texting.

* 51% of girls say pressure from a guy is a reason girls send sexy messages or images, and 18% of teen boys say pressure from a girl is a reason. 12% of teen girls who have sent sexually suggestive messages or images say they felt “pressured” to do so.

http://endabuse.org/userfiles/file/Teens/Teens_Sept_09_FINAL.pdf

How That’sNotCool.com can help your teen

 Videos are fun ways of communicating using visual tools and language kids will understand and relate well to. Some videos offer ‘2 sided stories’ explaining what he/she may be thinking and give problem solving questions and answers on how to approach the issues.  YOUTUBE celebrities are on some guest videos and they have received over 435,000 views.

‘Callout Cards’ are ecards which can be used with FB, Myspace, mobile applications. The cards have topic material infractions which in a humorous way can be sent friend to friend to callout behaviors in that situation as an icebreaker. Currently, there is a competition for teens to submit callout card ideas to win prizes donated by the National Football League Players’ Association. Starting February 4th, 2010.

www.thatsnotcool.com/contest

The ‘Talk it Out’ forum allows teens to post their question in the infraction bucket and answers will come from the users as a help guide.  As an alternate, if a teen wants a two way private conversation there is a live chat on hand for topics with more serious issues connecting directly to the teen dating abuse hotline and your teen remains anonymous.

If you would like additional information on how to create a ‘That’s Not Cool’ movement in your community please contact me directly.