WINNIPEG – A new, interactive web site launched today by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) is designed to teach teens to be safe, responsible and respectful users of texting technologies.
Concerns surrounding teens sending sexual messages, nude photos and videos via text messaging (dubbed “sexting”) is on the rise, yet the vast majority of kids doing so are unaware of the short-term costs and the long-term ramifications associated with their actions, says the press release.
Canadians send over 100 million texts per day, says the CWTA.
"Adolescent behaviour is less inhibited with the use of technology, so they tend to say and do things that they might not otherwise do in person," said Lianna McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Centre. "The textED.ca site has been created to help educate youth about how to use technology respectfully and safely, and to know what to do when someone crosses the line."
From learning how to deal with textual harassers to helping teens deal with stress or a break-up, the www.textED.ca website incorporates games, quizzes, discussion pages, downloadables and other fun tools to help them navigate through the issues. Considering the substantial growth in texting among adolescents in recent years, the CWTA said the launch of this new website comes at a critical time.
"Wireless technology is a valuable tool to help keep today’s busy families connected, and its popularity is growing at an incredible pace. However, while texting is a fun and fast way of communicating, it’s important that users know how to do so safely and responsibly," said Bernard Lord, CWTA president and CEO, in the release. "We are pleased to be partnering with the Canadian Centre on this much-needed initiative that will go a long way towards increasing the safety of Canada’s youth."
"While police often visit schools or community groups to teach kids about safety, it is resources like textED.ca, that if properly and widely used to educate children, will help police officers focus their time being protectors more often than educators," said Kingston police detective, Stephanie Morgan. "Our local text-luring case is proof positive that there is an education gap that needs to be addressed, and we applaud the Canadian Centre and the CWTA for filling that gap."
Today’s initial launch of textED.ca includes the piloting of the site in 100 Grade 7 classrooms across the country. Teachers will use a series of safety lessons and the website to help guide their students through respectful conduct when texting, and to teach them life skills that will allow them to fully benefit from what is now a very public, technological world. Teachers are encouraged to visit www.textED.ca to access lesson plans and for details on an exciting class project contest.
