What to do when a friend falls for the wrong crowd
A good friend of mine has started hanging out with kids who have
a reputation of doing drugs and drinking. I am worried about her.
What should I do?
Q: A good friend of mine has started hanging out with kids who have a reputation of doing drugs and drinking. I am worried about her. What should I do?
A: The best thing to do for your friend’s sake is to talk to her. Tell her how you feel about the situation. Let her know that the road she is on is a dangerous one, which could be dangerous and lethal. She needs to realize that drugs are illegal, and if she is drinking under age, that is illegal as well, and both these acts have major consequences.
Try to find out why she is hanging out with these kids. If she is doing it to be “cool,” let her know that it’s gross, not cool. Make her think about how close she is with these kids. If she were hanging out with them, doing drugs and drinking, and they were caught, who would be blamed? The chances of it being her are big.
She might not realize there are people who care about her and her well being. Let her know you will always be there. She may not want to listen to you, but you need to realize yourself that people are stubborn. But the fact that you tried makes all the difference in the world.
Q: My teenage children download music for iPods and other types of electronic equipment, such as mp3 players. How can I tell if they are using legal downloads such as iTunes or illegal sites to download their music? If they are using illegal sites, what should I do?
A: Ironically, I believe I have had this conversation with my mother before. For me, I have an iPod and I can only use iTunes to get my music. You know that with iTunes, you need a gift card or credit card to download music so that it is legal. I know that most sites that are legal require a credit card, so if your kids aren’t asking you to use one, then that is probably one of the signs that the music downloads are not legal.
Also, many legal sites send you a receipt after you purchase your music. Tell your children to print them every time they download music. It is a good way to keep track of finances and if they are using the sites legally. I don’t know a whole lot about illegal sites but I do know that when used, a virus also comes along with it most of the time.
You can block these sites at any time, so your children cannot use them.
If you ask me, I think iTunes is the best way to go. They have tons of music and if kids use gift cards, it assures kids are downloading music legally and it helps prevent identity theft. You can get these cards at almost any store, including Target and Best Buy.
Once you have it all under control, tell your children about what could happen if they are caught. The word ‘illegal’ means ‘don’t do it!’ As long as they know there are consequences, both legally and at home, they’ll be fine.
