This is a slideshow that aligns with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrCvYNg7wIE and outlines the webinar that has been developed by the Academy Technology Seminar 3 students of Palisades High school (11th grade). Guided by Mr. Robert Reilly (teacher) and Mrs. Karen Hornberger (librarian). The topic was the issues that accompany texting. This specific webinar was produced for the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade levels; the 11th grade students felt that the primary age group could use the guidance.

1. Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification
TEXTING
Brian Keebler, Cara Reese, Ben Musser, Dan Hall, Jake Johnson

3. WHAT IS TEXTING?
• Texting is instant message using a
phone
Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification

4. HOW LONG SHOULD A TEXT BE?
• If it is longer than a paragraph, call the person!
• Make sure your message is CLEAR
Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification

5. HOW LONG SHOULD IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO
RESPOND TO A TEXT?
As long as the other person needs, YOU CAN
WAIT!
They could be???
•Driving
•Playing a game
•Talking with someone else
•Doing something important
Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification

6. IF YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE A PHONE NUMBER THAT
YOU RECEIVE A TEXT FROM, SHOULD YOU TEXT THEM
BACK?
YES – only to
find out who it
is!!!
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7. SHOULD YOU CONTINUE TO TEXT PEOPLE THAT
YOU DO NOT KNOW?
NO
You do not know who it is,
so don’t text them back!!!
Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification

8. THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
• Don’t open unknown links – they
sometimes carry viruses.
• If you keep getting spam, tell your parents.
Spam can make you go over your texting
limit on your plan. Your parents can help
you get off a spam list.
Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification

9. IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND A TEXT, SHOULD
YOU GET ANGRY?
• No.
• If you misunderstand a text, call the
person to clarify what they sent.
Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification

10. IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND A TEXT, SHOULD
YOU GET ANGRY?
• There are no social cues in texting.
• A Social Cue is body language added to a
message that supports or describes the
intended message
Image taken from Google Images: labeled for commercial reuse with modification

11. HOW TO NOT BE MISUNDERSTOOD
Be careful about what you write. If you wouldn’t say
it, don’t text it.
…if you mean to be funny - make sure it is clear that you
are being funny.
…if you are being serious, make sure it is clear that you are
serious.
Texts are recorded & can be traced back to you.

12. CAN YOU GET IN TROUBLE FOR TEXTING?

13. ANSWER: YES
• Over-texting can be a form of harassment.
Harassment is illegal and can get you into serious
trouble.
• If someone asks you to stop texting them,
STOP!

14. KNOWING WHEN TO TEXT
• Texting should be like a healthy conversation.
Like a volleyball goes back and forth across a
net, texting should go back and forth equally.
Just like you should not take over a conversation
with a person, you should not take over a text
conversation.

15. KNOWING WHEN TO TEXT
• If someone is not replying - wait for them to reply.
• If you have a friend who doesn’t reply to you, try
again another day. If they don’t reply again, you
should give up texting them until they ask you to
text them.

16. WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO TEXT?
Appropriate:
•In an emergency
•Before or after school
•At home
•If you need to get in touch with someone

17. WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO TEXT?
Not Appropriate:
•In school
•In the middle of the night
•While driving

19. ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF
If you are in a car when someone is texting or talking on the phone while
driving, tell them that it is dangerous to you, them, and everyone around
you.
Ask them to stop.
The driver can
(a) have you text for them
(b)pull over to the side of the road
(c)wait to text.
Let them know that they can do any of these three things if they argue with
you.

20. WHEN SHOULD YOU TALK FACE TO FACE?
• If you are upset about something that you need to talk about
• If you know that the person might disagree with you and you need
to talk about it
• If you have bad news that will upset them
• If you have a long story or a lot to tell them
• If you want privacy (texts are never truly private - phone
companies keep a log that can be accessed by the police. Texts
can also be saved or forwarded)

21. WHAT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO TEXT?
Not Appropriate:
•Foul language
•Sending offensive photos or movies (offensive to anyone)
•Threatening someone
•Playing a prank on someone
•Being rude
•Talking about another person or persons
Remember: Texts are recorded and can be traced back to you

22. BULLYING AND TEXTING
Bullying is repeated activity intended to
hurt or cause harm another person.
• Emotional
• Physical
• Verbal

23. BULLYING AND TEXTING
How should someone handle being bullied or harassed by
texting?
•Tell them to stop
•Do not respond
•Save the text (you may need proof of bullying or help from an adult
to determine if you are being bullied)
•Go to a trusted adult
•Tell your parents
•Block the number
•Consider changing your number (speak with your parents about this)

24. REMINDER
• If a text is longer than a paragraph, a call might be more
appropriate
• If someone you don’t know texts you, don’t text them back
• DO NOT get angry at a text
• You can get in trouble for texting
• It is not appropriate to text in school, in the middle of the
night, and while driving
• If your being bullied, tell an adult.

25. END MESSAGE
Your time is valuable - don’t let it all slip away while you text.
Try to put your phone down and enjoy life and the people you are with and
the places that you are in.
When you put the phone aside, it shows people that you respect them
…it shows people that they matter to you
…it shows that you are personable and that makes people comfortable
around you. As a result, people will push for good things to happen for you.
GO OUTSIDE

26. DR. DAVID DELMONICO

27. DR. DAVID DELMONICO
Dr. David Delmonico is a professor at Duquesne
University. He conducts research and workshops
across the country on issues related to Internet
health and safety for adults and youth. Dr.
Delmonico has been using computers and the
Internet since 1980.

28. GOODBYE!!!!

29. RESOURCES
Responsible Text Messaging Tips: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-
parents/responsible-text-messaging-tips
Top Text Messaging Etiquette Tips:
http://www.macworld.com/article/1142055/textetiquette.html
Dealing with Digital Harrassment: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/dealing-digital-
harassment
Netsmartz: Cell Phones: http://www.netsmartz.org/CellPhones
WiredSafety: https://www.wiredsafety.org/

30. CREDITS
A HUGE thank you to:
Kurt Schollin, from Bucks County Intermediate Unit, for guiding Palisades High School
students through Elluminate webinar software.
Dr. David Delmonico, for generously volunteering his time and expertise on cyber-
safety.
Heidi Schiavone and her 5th Grade students at Joseph P. Liberati Intermediate School
and Joel Filling and his 6th Grade students at Palisades Middle School, for being
wonderful participants.
Palisades Academy – students and teachers
Palisades High School and School District Administrators for all of their support

31. CREDITS
Teachers involved in this lesson:
Rob Reilly, Academy Teacher, Palisades High School
Karen Hornberger, Library Media Specialist, Palisades High School