Have you been getting scammy text messages? How to deal with them!

Have you been getting scammy text messages? By Ari Lazarus If you get tons of scam text messages, you're not alone. Lots of people have been reporting to the FTC that they're getting texts from scammers impersonating people and organizations you know and trust — like your bank or companies like Amazon.  An analysis of consumer reports reveals the top text scams from 2022. So, what are they? And how do you avoid them? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/05/have-you-been-getting-scammy-text-messages

Have you been getting scammy text messages? How to deal with them! 

Massachusetts RMV: "Beware of text phishing scams!"

Massachusetts RMV (@MassRMV) tweeted on Mon, Jul 19, 2021:

Beware of text phishing scams! https://t.co/msV0DtdGhA

Shared from Twiter: https://twitter.com/MassRMV/status/1417212841837436929

Massachusetts RMV: "Beware of text phishing scams!"

There was a hashtag, soon there'll be tone indicators

This came across the radar last week but got dropped and is definitely share worthy.

"Tone Is Hard to Grasp Online. Can Tone Indicators Help?

We all struggle to communicate on the internet. Now, young people are leading a sincere effort to clear things up.

Written language is an imperfect method for the messy, complex business of communication, where facial expressions, gestures and vocal tones transmit oceans of meaning and subtext — for those, at least, who can read them.

Words themselves offer none of that: In a famous study, Albert Mehrabian, a psychology professor at U.C.L.A., found that humans tend to perceive only a fragment of a speaker’s meaning through spoken words. Instead, he observed, most meaning is gleaned from body language and tone of voice.

In a text-only environment, how can we ever be certain other people understand what we mean when we post online? Enter tone indicators. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/style/tone-indicators-online.html

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/12/13/fashion/09toneindicators-promo/09toneindicators-promo-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp

Lt. Governor Polito and Representative Roy to host discussion on Sexually Explicit Images Legislation at FHS - Apr 29

On Monday, April 29, 2019, Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito will present an educational discussion highlighting legislation relative to the distribution of sexually explicit images. The event will take place at the Franklin High School Auditorium from 6:00-8:00 PM and is open to faculty, students, parents and members of the public.

The distribution of sexually explicit images is becoming an increasingly prevalent behavior among teens. Legislation filed by Representative Roy and Lt. Governor Polito helps to protect children from the harmful effects of transmission of explicit images by modernizing the laws to reflect the realities of cyber-bullying. 

The legislation provides additional tools for law enforcement along with educational programming that brings a coordinated effort and holistic approach to address this behavior among teens. Simultaneously, the legislation seeks to close a loophole in current law by creating penalties for adults who distribute sexually explicit images for the purpose of revenge or embarrassment. 

First filed in 2017, Sexually Explicit Images legislation has bipartisan support and if passed will join states from over half the country that have enacted similar legislation to protect their young citizens.

Lt. Governor Polito and Representative Roy to host discussion on
Sexually Explicit Images Legislation at FHS - Apr 29

SEXT ED: A forum on teen sexting and changing the law - Oct 16

Please join us to discuss teen sexting- the harm, the recovery, and changing the law.

Our event will include a panel with 

• Representative Jeffrey Roy from Franklin
• Franklin Police Officer Jason Reilly
• Dr. Elizabeth Englender, Director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University
• Kristin Letendre, Director of Health and Physical Education at Franklin Public Schools
• Christopher Spillane, Franklin Police Department School Safety Officer

Representative Roy recently introduced Bill H.948 that would change the criminal process of charging teens as felony sex offenders. Instead, teens would undergo an educational diversion program. When prosecution is considered necessary, the offense will be considered a misdemeanor instead of a felony.

We will discuss the current situation in Franklin and other MetroWest towns, how parents can help their children, and the legal implications if a child is sexting.

We hope you can join us.

Monday, October 16 at 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Franklin High School

Tickets are free via Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mwcsw-forum-sext-ed-tickets-37693870381?ref=estw

SEXT ED: A forum on teen sexting and changing the law - Oct 16

"Text is unbelievably private. No one hears you talking."

Sounds like this would be key another resource to turn for help

When a young woman texted DoSomething.org with a heartbreaking cry for help, the organization responded by opening a nationwide Crisis Text Line to provide an outlet for people in pain. 

Nearly 10 million text messages later, the organization is using the privacy and power of text messaging to help people with issues such as addiction, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, sexual abuse and more. 

The data collected in the process is reshaping policy and preparing schools and law enforcement to better handle spikes in crises.

You can watch Nancy Lublin tell her story here




You can read more about the crisis text line here  http://www.crisistextline.org/

The top 50 words in a text from some one asking for help with substance abuse

Top 50 words in a text message from some one seeking help with substance abuse

You can find out more of the trends that they share from the data they collect
http://www.crisistextline.org/trends/


Coincidently, MDN ran an editorial Friday on texting for suicide help
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/OPINION/151107172/2011/OPINION

"how to handle a growing number of “sexting” cases"

At the State House Tuesday, Roy and Reilly, joined by a Bridgewater State University psychology professor, testified before the Judiciary Committee in favor of the bill. According to Roy, the legislation would not hinder legitimate child pornography investigations, but rather establish an important, potentially life-altering distinction between child porn and sexting among teens. 

“This bill would set up a new section of the statute to give police officers and prosecutors more tools to curb this behavior,” Roy said. 

Filed earlier this year, H.1567, An Act Relative to Transmitting Indecent Visual Depictions by Teens, has found supporters beyond the Legislature, including in law enforcement and academics. One letter of support came all the way from a professor at the University of Colorado. 

The bill, Roy said, protects minors who participate in sexting as long as they do so consensually. Instead of a felony, 15- to 19-year-olds convicted of sexting would have to enter a mandatory diversion program; other penalties range from a civil fine to community service.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150714/NEWS/150718263/1994/NEWS

Text translator for 'teen speak'

Texting is all the rage amongst teens.

Cyberbullying happens to be one theme amongst the many messages sent.


LG has a website to help translate the texting shortcuts used.

You can translate from the short cut to SMS text or from a regular English sentence translate to text.


Related links:

Teen Angels is a group of middle school students working to raise awareness amongst their peers on cyberbullying. The TeenAngels presented to the School Committee earlier this month. You can see what they did here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-teen-angels.html

and here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/teen-angels-pledge-text-think-send.html

Legislation is being discussed to address cyberbullying. I don't think legislation is the answer. Parents, teachers, and the teens themselves can do a better job of creating awareness and changing behaviors.