FINAL TSTO Lesa Dec 14.pdf - Flipbook - Page 57
Managing mobile friendships
1. Control the pace
Mobile phones and the Internet enable young people to get closer, sooner, with someone they are getting to
know. Young people need to know that they can take control if they are feeling hurried into a date, or sex. They
can text back to say ‘I’ll let you know’. They don’t have to reply straight away. They don’t owe anyone their time or
attention.
2. Make clear rules about sending pictures and messages
One in four Australian children aged 6 to 13 years now has a mobile phone.19 A mature understanding of the
effect of sending messages and photos usually comes when a child is much older, so children need clear rules
about sending pictures and messages.
Make sure your children know that any photos or video taken with their phones — or a photo taken of them by
someone else — could become public the moment it is sent to someone (by being uploaded to the Internet).
They should always ask their friend’s permission before publishing/sending a photo of their friend.
While teenagers may think that sending these images to their friends is harmless, any image that portrays a minor
in an indecent manner or engaging in sexual activity is regarded as child pornography. People who receive or
pass on these images are risking criminal charges, whether they are a minor or an adult.
Contraception20
Condoms and the combined oral contraceptive pill (‘the Pill’) remain the methods most commonly used
by Australian young people, although up to 10% report using no contraception in their last sexual encounter.
Some rules for mobile
kids
No unkind messages
about friends or other
kids at school.
No nude pictures.
No photos taken without
a person’s knowledge.
Don’t use your phone
in private spaces, for
example, bathrooms,
changing rooms.
Don’t share or forward
other people’s pictures.
Condoms are an excellent choice for young people as they provide protection against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) and are relatively inexpensive, however they are less effective than other forms of contraception.
If young people are going to have sexual intercourse, then ‘double protection’ — condom use in addition to
another contraceptive method should be encouraged.
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