Subject: Fw: Texting and the real-world dangers for our children
From: "MICHAEL RYAN" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:31:13 -0400

Tragic story in south florida. Really sad. 

Sent this out to all the PTAs in Broward County.  Thought your Mom might have some ideas on how to incorporate into a national program. 

Mike 

----- Original Message -----
From: MICHAEL RYAN
Sent: Fri Mar 19 08:14:56 2010
Subject: Texting and the real-world dangers for our children 

Sawgrass Families: 
 
Many of you may have read about the tragic story surrounding the brutal beating of a young girl at Deerfield Beach Middle School this week.  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/deerfield/fl-deerfield-middle-fight-20100318,0,1999406.story
 
It is still too early to tell what the facts are and why this happened.  But a portion of the story caught my eye for our household.  
 
From what the press is reporting, this incident allegedly began when the victim served as the texting go-between for two other children.  In the course of the texting, a disparaging remark was allegedly sent regarding the assailant's brother (who had committed suicide 5 months ago).  The implications from the press reports are that text messages led to a cascade of events and ultimately the beating of this young girl.  My message is not intended to address legal or moral responsibility for the event or even suggesting there is ever a justification for that type of beating. And, importantly, it really doesn't matter for the purposes of this discussion whether it happened like that or not -- because it could. 
 
The School Board and other groups have put out public service messages regarding the dangers of texting.  These warned dangers center around not only "bullying", but also how easy it is in our society to type something and send it -- when you would NEVER say it to somebody's face.  We know that happens all the time in our world, in our offices, and in our own private lives.  
 
Add that component of modern electronic life to the electronic world of a young adult, who likely does not fully appreciate the affect of what they are sending and the implications for them and others, and the results can be hurtful and even dangerous.  
 
I do not have the answers.  But, I know we are going to talk about this issue in our household.  
 
Best regards, 
 
Michael Ryan
President, Sawgrass Elementary PTA 
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