New Frontiers

Annette and I spoke to 200 professionals on Friday in Memphis who clinically work with teens/young adults. Our core message was primarily encouraging them to join the new world of texting and MySpace. When you really stop to consider the fact that most adolescents have far surpassed their parents technologically, you can begin to feel a bit uneasy. There they are, with brains under construction, out exploring new frontiers without any adult guidance or chaperoning. When parents or professionals refuse to learn to text or have no idea what "MySpace or Facebook" is really all about, they relinquish any impact they can legitimately have on a huge part of their child's life. In fact, "MySpace" is now the 6th largest "country" in the world and more than half of the members are under 18 years of age. So, why not ask your teen today to teach you to text or introduce you to MySpace. Not only can this shared experience provide some quality bonding time but with knowledge, you can begin to guide them in what is appropriate or inappropriate in this new world they inhabit.