A sample callout card from thatsnotcool.com
Because our children are growing up in a connected world that we did not grow up in, they are being presented with boundary issues that we never had to deal with: When does texting turn into harassment? What information is considered private? Is it normal to send a naked picture of myself? And more.
As our teens (and increasingly our pre-teens) struggle with these problems, it may be hard for parents who didn’t grown up with these issues to be able to understand and give their children guidance. Short of cutting off all “connectedness”—which is not smart or helpful—parents can be sure to monitor their children’s online/phone behavior. (As Cris Clapp reminds us, we shouldn’t forget to check the “other” screen.)
Beyond that, though, there is a new website, ThatsNotCool.com, that offers resources and information to help parents and teens understand boundaries in a world where we are all potentially connected 24/7.
There are clever videos and graphics that explain concepts like “textual harassment,” “constant messaging,” online rumors, privacy problems, “pic pressure,” and others in ways that are humorous and informative at the same time. The site even 
provides digital “callout cards” with sarcastic messaging that can be sent to offenders, subtly telling them that their behavior is inappropriate.
As a teenager, I probably would have found some of these materials cheesy and may not have used them; however, they can provide a starting point for parent-teen discussion on boundaries and cyber-harassment. And if—at the very least—the website can start that discussion, then that’s a step in the right direction.
James Gunter is the editor of The Crime Map and the director of social media for CrimeReports.com.
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