This first case involves a 21-year-old woman, Nicole Williams, and a 17-year-old girl. Apparently the 17-year-old was talking to Williams’ boyfriend and she was none to pleased by it. She sent the younger girl several text messages some of which threatened rape. Williams claims others sent the text messages from her phone. Apparently Williams needs to keep better track of her phone.

Some say these are just normal threats between two girls who are squabbling over a boy. Now the comments are a legal matter only because of the medium used; text message. What do you think of that claim?

I’m no lawyer (I just play one in my head), but I believe the legal term of harassment typically refers to continued and unwanted behavior that is found to be threatening or disturbing. Multiple text messages threatening to rape or have somebody raped seems pretty threatening and disturbing to me. It’s not the typical “meet me in the parking lot so we can scrap” kind of threat.

My teens argue all the time. And I often hear them say, “Knock it off or I’m going to punch you in the face.” We recently had a little sit-down with both boys and told them we will not have any more talk like that. I don’t want to hear another “I’ll punch in the face” come out of their mouths. I know they don’t mean it [usually], but we don’t need to be intimidating and threatening each other in this household. Harassment will not be tolerated.

If somebody like Nicole Williams didn’t learn this lesson in her own family then maybe there does need to be a law to let her know it won’t be accepted in society. Now I doubt she would have followed through on her threat of rape, but she needs to understand that (1) no boy is worth going to jail for and (2) there are better ways to deal with jealousy and anger. I don’t really think she needs to do jail time for this, but I’m all for her facing a judge to explain herself.

What do you think?

Post from: Blisstree

Doing Time For Texting

Hearst is closing down Cosmo Girl after the December 2008 issue. But don’t worry, CosmoGirl.com will continue.

One magazine closes and another starts. Hearst is starting a new magazine, Mis Quince, a magazine aimed at girls who are planning their quinceañeras.

Are the dyes in your child’s food making him hyper?

Energy drinks may lead to future substance abuse.

At least 72% of 12- to 17-year-olds have been bullied online. And 90% of them never told their parents.

Depressed kids are getting medicine, but no therapy.

Kids who were aggressive toddlers, received harsh or reactive parenting and come from low-income families are more likely to be bulliied.

Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an ivy league school, is starting a new website for high school students. It’s coming in February 2009. “Knowledge@Wharton High School is an interactive site for high school students interested in finding out more about the world of business.”

Britney Spears is ready to spill the beans about her behavior last year that landed her in a psych ward. She will appear in a 90 minute documentary on November 30th…just days before her next album drops.

Porn sells. Even to kids?

Connecticut joins Massachusetts and California as the only three states in the nation that allow same-sex marriage.

The Massachusetts school where girls entered in to a “pregnancy pact” last year is now going to allow contraceptives to be provided to students.

Many schools have banned soda, but kids are still getting their fix from local convenience stores.

Videos on video-sharing websites or social networks are showing our kids how to get high.

Now parents can control their teens car with only a key. Ford is introducing MyKey which allows parents to program how fast the car can go and how loud the radio can be. It will even “remind” kids to put their seat belt on. It will be a free standard feature on the 2010 Ford Focus.

Google is taking over the world…or at least video games. They are adding Adsense to some video games.

College students get creative with their cheap dorm decorating.

Some pets aren’t safe for kids.

Don’t let the thought of a bulging figure stop you from enjoying Halloween.

Need a training manual for raising your teenage daughter?

Post from: Blisstree

Sunday Reading

One school made a 13-year-old Goth boy remove his makeup. Is this sexual discrimination?

When moms overestimate their teens’ future use of alcohol, it actually leads teens to drink more.

As a sign of the technology times, Visa is going mobile. Soon our teens will be doing everything with their cell phones.

Have you teenager-proofed your marriage?

Dr. Robyn has 7 ways to NOT be a helicopter parent when talking to teachers.

My Political World is social network getting young people involved in politics.

Help your young kids understand the political process.

And Channel One has started their election coverage.

Teen abortion rates have plummeted.

What to do if your teen is cutting.

As expected, older children are being dropped off at hospitals in Nebraska under their new safe haven law. One father dropped off all nine of his children from the age of 1 to 17.

Teach your tweens and teens self-discipline.

All kids from 6 months to 18 are encouraged to get flu shots this year.

Dr. Drew Pinsky has a new sex show on MTV; Sex…With Mom and Dad. In each episode Dr. Drew will help a teen and his or her parents work through their problems discussing sex, dating and relationships.

Banning soda in schools has had little effect on the amount of soda kids are drinking.

What do teens have to say about cyberbulling?

Here’s a shocker, Clay Aiken is gay. And so is Lindsay Lohan.

Post from: Blisstree

Sunday Reading