As technology continues to grow and change, it becomes more critical for caring adults to understand how to keep young people safe in the digital landscape. Talking about texting safety is essential to reducing young people’s exposure to online risks, like cyberbullying, sexting, harassment, and substance use. Young people can access direct messaging and texting before they even have a phone, as most games and social media apps have a form of direct messaging. Although young people are likely to make mistakes while using technology, having conversations about responsible decision-making, self-regulation, and social awareness can encourage safe messaging practices and open the door for future communication.1 Use these tips to guide your conversations about staying safe while texting |
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