Parents' Guide to

A Thin Line

By Jacqueline Rupp, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Cool, effective tips on teen online responsibility from MTV.

Website http://www.athinline.org/
A Thin Line Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this website.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

DiverseAppreciator
DiverseAppreciator Adult
December 15, 2019
age 13+

No tailoring for special needs

I feel that this campaign is not tailored for people with autism and other special needs considering that such people are more vulnerable and therefore require special protection; another organization called NetSmartz has advice tailored for special needs.
di_fa
di_fa Parent of 13-year-old
May 12, 2010
age 13+
See all 3 parent reviews

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (4):

A THIN LINE is a great introduction into the world of digital responsibility, covering everything from the dangers of sexting to how to combat cyberbullying and text harassment. With the classic hip MTV tone, the site shouldn't turn teens off. It's not overly preachy, but lays out the facts and true life horror stories to get the message across. The site though does stumble when it veers into social issues, like controlling relationships, rather than sticking to strictly techno issues, and it ignores the issue of teens meeting strangers online and video chatting. The quiz page is at least worth a spin and should give families a clear understanding of where they are at with their digital diligence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about sexting. What does it mean and what are the ground rules for what you should never do with a cell phone? What should you do if a friend sends you inappropriate content via a phone? What should you say if someone asks you to send a picture or content you don't feel comfortable with?

  • Families can talk about cyberbullying. What can you do to be a forced to stop cyberbullying? If you read or receive a cruel message what do you do? Why is it important to let friends know it's not okay to taunt and tease someone online?

  • Families can talk about text messaging rules. How many texts are too many? Does your family have times when texting is off limits? Can texting become a tool for controling someone in a relationship? What should you do if someone is texting you too much?

Website Details

  • Genre: Educational
  • Pricing structure: Free
  • Last updated: November 5, 2015

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