Teens are big advocates of their own space. You should knock before entering, never look through their diary or sock drawer without asking, never open their locker without permission and don’t read their email, IMs or their text messages. It’s ironic that while they are adamant about protecting their privacy from adults at home and in school, they are usually less protective of their digital privacy and personal space online and from other teens.

When teens are dating, they want to be open and honest. No secrets! (Not counting the deep dark secrets their boyfriend or girlfriend can’t find out about.) But even in the closest of relationships, teens need to protect their own privacy space, time and activities. They often forget the “me” while being blinded by the “us”.

Privacy has become an old person’s concern. Teens feel they have nothing to hide, and it shows in what they post and share online. Unless they are doing something wrong, they have no reason to worry that others will know their business. Right? Wrong!

Privacy, like the other constitutional rights, needs to be valued and protected.

I will be creating a series of tutorials for teens about their privacy rights and why they matter.

want to help?