Switched-On Magazine

Dear Diary,
What is wrong with wanting attention? It's awesome. I guess you can call me an attention-holic. Yes, I really do need the most attention I can possibly get. If I don't get it, I'd die or breakdown. Lately I just found another way for doing so. Telling everyone on Facebook and MySpace what I do at parties. I can get a bit wild sometimes but I don't care what ends up online. It's awesome what people have to say about what I do. It makes me even more popular.
Cindy

Recent news shows a study that finds many teens risk behaviors on MySpace and Facebook. The research found that more than half of 18-year-old MySpace users mentioned sex, violence or substance use on their profiles. They found this that 54% of the pages referenced risk behaviors. The profiles most frequently mentioned substance abuse (41%), followed by sexual activity (24%), then violence (14%).

But talking about sex, drugs, and alcohol can bring unwanted attention. Adult predators can friend teenagers on Facebook pretending to be 17 and teens may believe it. Predators may then lure the teens into unsafe situations that may include unwanted sexual relations. Teens may see it as getting attention, but in the worst possible way. The same goes for drugs and alcohol.

Posting details about having sex, doing drugs or drinking can put teens at all types of risks. Colleges have profiles too. They can check potential student profiles to see if they are a good fit for their school. Recent surveys of employers and college admissions officers show they increasingly check prospects' profiles on social networking sites. Teens can be looked at by future employers and colleges and not even know it.

Teens may not care now but in the long run it will hurt you. You can even get caught by the police. Dirty pictures or pictures that you think might make you look cool really don't do the trick.

Dear Cindy,
You should really stop. It isn't helping you in the long run. If you want attention, have your friends or family listen to you while you tell a story. Do something good that is worth giving you the attention. Do anything but put pictures on Facebook or MySpace that might affect your future.
Your Diary