View Post

Cyber Citizenship Part 6: Code of Conduct

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

Cyber Citizens should abide by a strict code of conduct based on the rights, privileges and responsibilities of being a member of the cyber world. Obey the law.  □   Copyright Infringement:  using, selling or distributing products or creations without permission of the copyright owner □   Plagiarism:  presenting the words, music, thoughts or ideas of others without giving them credit □   …

View Post

Cyber Citizenship Part 5: Civility

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

Civility is the foundation of civilized society (and not just because of te common derivation of the words).  It is how we get along with each other.  Civility is treating others with fairness and consideration for their feelings and needs.  It is treating others as people worthy of respect and dignity.  It is the golden rule:  do unto others as …

View Post

Cyber Citizenship Part 4: Respect

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

As citizens of the cyber community, teenagers have a responsibility to be aware of the different aspects of the cyber world (see previous column).  It is also important for them to know about how to keep themselves safe and secure online (see other previous column).  Finally, teenagers have a responsibility as cyber citizens to respect the laws of the online …

View Post

When Your Teen Tells You They Are Ready To Have Sex

In The Blog by Dr James Wellborn

Kids begin to be sexually active in significant numbers beginning at 15 (Guttmacher Institute). The average age American adolescents lose their virginity is 17.  By 18, 61% of kids have had sex.  Where are kids getting information about when, where and how to have sex?  Unfortunately, it is from the internet, advertisements, performers, celebutants, pornography and the music they listen …

View Post

Sexting Part 5-What to Say If Your Kid Has Been Sexting (continued)

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

Talk about the risks.  Here’s the list. Sending pictures of yourself when you are younger than 18 is distributing pornography.  Having a picture of yourself stored on a phone, computer, etc. (or recoverable from the secret, undeleted areas of things you have deleted on your device) is possession of child pornography.  Having pictures of your sext buddy who is under …

View Post

Sexting Part 2-Setting the Ground Rules

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

This article is the second in a series on how parents can address the issue of sexting with their teenage children.  The first part of this series emphasized the importance of educating yourself as a parent and talking to your kids about sexting as well as internet and social media issues. Set the ground rules.  Once you have talked to …

View Post

More Questions (for your teenager) from Steubenville, Ohio

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

The previous column presented questions to generate a conversation between you and your teenager about issues raised by the rape of a teenage girl in Steubenville, Ohio.  The questions continue. Responsibility Whose fault is it when someone is attacked?  What if they were saying really insulting things to the person who attacked them?  What if they were walking around in …