Internet Safety for Teens

Teens and the internet. Safety online is an ever-growing issue for parents.

In the New Year many parents are looking for way to keep not only their teen safe, but other children in the home as well.

Parents are striving to teach responsibility while using any type of technology. Gifts given during the holidays such as iPods, laptops, cell phones, and webcams require that the whole family learn to be safe and responsible.

Parents can minimize the risks associated with technology by knowing and educating their family about the three main risks.

Many teens find it difficult to talk about their problems, especially if they do not feel they are loved unconditionally. The lack of communication, though, can cost them their lives.

Here is one reader's view of teen silence:

Letter from a reader of the Tennessean

To the Editor:

This is in regard to Melissa Manley’s article about youth suicides in Tennessee (“Youth suicides, attempts in Tennessee are alarmingly high,” Dec. 3). I want to commend her for talking about youth suicide because people are reluctant to discuss it in these times. People today underestimate the severity of teenage suicide and, more importantly, attempted suicides.

There is more stress on teens today than ever before: graduating from high school, getting into college, getting a job after college, etc. The emphasis on success in modern society is causing teenagers to stress about things that they shouldn’t be stressing about until later in life.
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Society is taking the part of being a kid out of the life of a teenager, and replacing it with adulthood worries. Stack society’s expectations on top of life’s tragedies and no parental guidance — it’s a wonder the suicide rate isn’t higher than what it already is.

There aren’t enough elder figures in a teenager’s life to give them a pat on the back and say everything is going to be “OK.” Manley summed up the problem with suicide prevention in her last sentence: “Silence costs lives.”

-Nathan Forester, HENDERSONVILLE 37075

Teens Thirsty For Hope

As I wrap up my first Tools 4 Teens program, I am reminded how incredibly blessed I am to be in a position to make a difference in the lives of teenagers. I think my students would be very surprised to know that I got as much out of this experience as they did!

I firmly believe that it doesn't take a bomb, but rather a simple seed planted in a life that can make a huge impact. To hear, with complete conviction, that you are empowered with the ability to define your future, can be the seed which bears a garden of fruit.

My program took my students on a journey they will not soon forget. We talked about Peer Pressure, Sexual Purity, Anger/Forgiveness, Self-Control and what it takes to live life filled with hope, joy and success. For many, this was the first time they heard these Life Skills and Character Building messages. You could see that they were thirsty for HOPE. They want to know that they can achieve their dreams and live a beautiful life. They want to know that they are valuable and loved unconditionally.

My biggest surprise came when I realized just how much I bonded with each one of these teens in such a short amount of time!! They touched my heart in such a way that I want to be their biggest cheerleader as they achieve each milestone in their lives.

I will not forget any of these precious teens. They each made a mark on my heart which has changed me forever.

-Kelly
(Tools4Teens author)

Teens And Suicide

Anytime a teen decides to take his/her life it is disturbing. But the recent suicide viewed on the internet goes beyond disturbing.

USA Today reported:

When Abraham Biggs broadcast the last moments of his life on the Internet, he joined a small fraternity of troubled young people who gained notoriety through death.

Biggs, 19, broadcast live from a bedroom in his Hollywood, Fla., home Wednesday as he talked of suicide, took pills and lay down to die. Some viewers egged him on, then discussed whether what they had seen was real.

Communication with teens is truly important. Had this teen talked through his feelings, this may been avoided.

Our prayers go out to this young teen's family.

This Friday I will be teaching my third class at Paul Revere Middle School. Not only do we have some awesome teens in this program, we also have some pretty creative scrapbookers!

Each week the teens will be taught one lesson from the Tools 4 Teens book and then asked to journal their attitude and goals relating to the topic of the week. With pictures taken from our staff photographer, the teens will create scrapbook pages using photos of themselves, fun and colorful paper and inspirational stickers.

The teens were very excited to hear that they will each receive a customized copy of Tools 4 Teens at the conclusion of this program. I will be writing a special letter to them on our Dedication Page and sign their personal copy.

For many, this is an introduction to relevant issues such as peer pressure, sexual purity, spiritual gifts, consequences of substance abuse and forgiveness. The objective of the Tools 4 Teens program is to build character and sharpen life skills. The creative writing element gets the teens thinking forward by setting healthy goals for their life.

We have many fun and creative things in store for these teens. Red carpets, heavy bricks, positive affirmation among the group and $20 bills will all be used as ways for the teens to connect with the topic. It will be an experience they will not soon forget.

The overall mission of the 7-week program is to build character and teach tools resulting in positive and healthy lifestyle choices.

To find out how you can bring the Tools 4 Teens program to your organization, contact 832-606-6026

Teen Program Gives Hope

This week I made a trip to Cleveland, Texas to visit the Cleveland Correction Center which houses 550 convicted felons.

The purpose of my trip was to observe PEP founder, Catherine Rohr. The Prison Entrepreneurship Program, which began in 2004 by Ms. Rohr is a Godsend for the inmates who enroll in her program.

My intention was to be a "fly on the wall" and simply observe Ms. Rohr's communication with her students. This was important to me as I prepare to teach the content of Tools 4 Teens to a group at at-risk kids beginning Oct. 24th.

Ms. Rohr was delayed several hours so I was asked if I wanted to spend some time with the inmates.

There began the most incredible two-hour journey I have had in a long time. I was able to ask many questions of the inmates who were all considered at-risk teens at one time.

I faced a room full of gangsters, robbers, murderers and drug dealers and was truly blessed by their respect towards me.

Every inmate had a piece of advice or comment which enriched me beyond words. I feel like I gained incredible insight which I will use in my upcoming program at the Paul Revere Middle School.

It is easy to look past the human being to the crime committed, but I will tell you with complete certainty that 90% of the inmates I met would NEVER have landed in prison had they been loved, respected, protected and guided as children.

I was profoundly blessed by this experience. These inmates don't want our pity. They want hope that they can turn from all the negative and painful experiences of their lives and become what God intended.

-Kelly (co-author of Tools4Teens)

Drug Dogs in Schools and Teens who Abuse

A teenage girl in a high school recently told her Mom about a friend who was acting strange in class. He was messing with his shoe and spraying stuff all over them. She commented about why he was spraying his shoes and he replied, "I like the smell."

A few minutes later another friend asked to be excused to go to the restroom. Later, the teenage girl learned that the boy was spraying his shoes so that the drug dogs would not find his stash. The other friend had gone to the principle to report what had happened. The boy was expelled permanently from the private, Christian school.

Many schools all around the United States use drug dogs to help deter drug usage. Some are caught but many learn how to escape the system.

Raising drug free teenagers in today's society can seem impossible but it's not. There is hope for the many parents who struggle with this issue.

SageWalk therapist, Laurie Wilmok, gives great advice to parents who are seeking to raise drug-free teens in a drug-filled society.