Every youngster who gets her first phone needs to know the rules — and where she can go for help.
That’s the recommendation of Andrea Howorth, the executive director of the I Am Someone Ending Bullying Society, which is promoting the use of TEXT 211 for youth who might be feeling bullied, alone or afraid.
“Just having that conversation with your teen is important,” said Howorth, who recently gave a smartphone to her own middle school-aged daughter, Clara, to provide her with a communications lifeline.
“It’s setting rules, you know, setting rules of when to use it, being aware of what apps they are using and being sure you’re following them on those apps,” added Howorth.
This month, the IAS Society is holding an online auction on the Coquitlam Centre website (coquitlamcentre.com) to raise funds to get the message out about TEXT 211, which provides resources to people who call with their concerns.
IAS was founded five years ago by community leaders in Port Coquitlam following the tragic suicides of a number of local youth. The group wanted to find a way to connect troubled youth with resources through the use of their smart phones, and partnered with TEXT 211, which is run by bc211, a non-profit resource and referral agency.
“We need to get the message out about TEXT 211 to schools, libraries and youth counsellors,” said Howorth, “It’s about getting the message out there.”
According to IAS, a typical youth texts 3,400 times a month so the TEXT 211 platform — confidential, anonymous and available around the clock _ is seen as in ideal way for young people to get help.
The society has also set up a website, bullyingornot.ca, to give youth information about what bullying is and how to identify it.
“We’re hoping that armed with information, youth will be more proactive," Howorth said.
Howorth said she gave her daughter a phone for her own peace of mind but being connected to the internet 24/7 also comes with problems. Being open about the issues and providing information, such as TEXT 211, gives youth independence as well as confidence, she said.
Bullyingornot.ca lists 15 bullying symptoms, including being excluded from a group or photos being shared online without permission, and recommends youth text 211 with their concerns.
This year, the fourth annual Ultimate Online Auction offers thousands of dollars in merchandise and unique items, including the RV’ing Adventure, which includes a four-day trip, and the Ultimate Shopping Spree.
Bidders are encouraged to register online in advance. The auction site will be live until 9 p.m. on Oct.30, at which time the auction closes and the highest bid wins the item. Successful bidders may pick up and pay for their items at Coquitlam Centre customer service during regular mall hours from Nov. 1 to 8. A showcase will be set up at Coquitlam Centre Oct. 28 and 29 to view of select auction items and to meet volunteers.
• To learn more about the auction, register and view the items available for bidding, visit coquitlamcentre.com.
