ThatsNotCool (http://www.thatsnotcool.com)

common sense media says

Tackles digital dating abuse with videos appealing to teens.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this ad-free site helps teens recognize when digital dating behavior becomes dangerous or abusive (stalking, violating privacy, pressure to send nude pictures) and how to deal with it. The site's content is right on target, but there are a few iffy comments that link to users' YouTube profiles, where anything goes.

Educational value: The site gives wonderful scenarios that will ring true for kids. And in doing so it will teach them about how not to let technology intrude in relationships.
Positive messages: The site give kids an excellent vocabulary for discussing boundary issues.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Discusses the problems associated with sharing sexual or revealing photos.
Language: No bad language on the site, but comments link to users' YouTube profiles, where anything goes.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on ThatsNotCool

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about what is and isn't appropriate with online and mobile communication. What does having constant access to another person mean? What do your kids think is the line between caring and controlling? When does talking become stalking?" Parents can encourage teens to come talk to them or another trusted adult if they're ever in a dating situation that feels uncomfortable or abusive.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
With digital violations on the rise -- from nude photos leaked to blogs to a murder sparked by a "single" Facebook status -- Thatsnotcool.com is a much-needed resource for teens -- and for parents who could use a little help understanding this very 21st-century issue. The videos are cool, clever, and interactive; teens see a scenario from the perspective of both partners and choose the best way to deal with the situation. The guidelines for recognizing abuse are right on target, and the additional resources included are reliable. None of the videos feature same-sex couples (though they're racially diverse), but the site does offer a resource for LGBTQ teens.

This review was written by Susan Yudt
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

cib258
educator and parent of 17 and 19 year old
 
Parents need to get involved
That's great for the kids to help themselves, I have no problem with Thatsnotcool*. But, I'm looking forward to seeing their resources for parents. That would have been my first step. Many of the reviews have focused on sexting and the posting of inappropriate photos. But, to their credit, that's not what Thatsnotcool is really concerned about. It's about every day kids hassling kids. It's nothing really new and it is why parents need to "be there,," to help them focus on what is real. So, in the 21st Century parents need to be involved in the electronic message flow, everyday. They are not going to stop it. If parents add their kind, responsible, caring adult words to the stream of ideas their children are seeing on the tiny cellphone screens, it may help offset the hurtful juvenile junk. I stumbled on the issue of text abuse last year in my early research for WuduPlz*. This is the reason why we installed tight security on our texting-sending web service. And it's also why we have (a non-advertised) "bad word" filter on WuduPlz. We did not want bad actors using our service. (It is next to impossible to send an anonymous message via WuduPlz, but it's still handy for members.) In talking about with teachers and others who work with older kids, we found they were eager to have responsible adult voices joining the youthful chatter on the cellphones screen of students, especially for middle school children. "Wuduplz can help inject a reality check," we were told. And we made "add a reality check" a part of our pitch to parents. Here's the link: *://*wuduPlz* Here's our YouTube video: *://*youtube*/watch?v=rd-8UcdNalU

Lola12
parent of 13 year old
 
perfect for tweens and older
I think this website has great infomration for young people who are trying to figure out whats ok and what is not...It speaks directly to them, its both serious content but with some humor.


kid, 12 years old
 
ThatsNotCool! in my opinion,
people over 20 should get an account for ThatsNotCool, not for kids or teens.


teen, 14 years old
 
ThatsNotCool! in my opinion,
people over 20 should get an account for ThatsNotCool, not for kids or teens.


kid, 11 years old
 
ThatsNotCool! in my opinion,
people over 20 should get an account for ThatsNotCool, not for kids or teens.

sarahfaye45
kid, 12 years old
 
give it a chance
this is a good thing for teens and other ages to look in to it changed my life just by reading it changed my brothers to,give it a chance and you will see what i mean. thank you.sarah young

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age