A Thin Line
MTV has launched a rather cool public service campaign against “digital abuse,” called A Thin Line. The website includes information about the harmful effects of sexting, constant messaging, spying, digital disrespect, and cruelty. The campaign encourages young people protect themselves, but also to stand up for others.
This is a big deal — findings from the related Associated Press/MTV Digital Abuse Study show that 3 in 10 young people have sent or received nude pictures of other young people on their cell or online, and 61% who have “sexted” report being pressured to do so at least once. 12% of those who have “sexted” have contemplated suicide, four times more likely than those who haven’t (12% vs. 3%, respectively). Further, targets of digital abuse are almost three times as likely to contemplate suicide as those who haven’t encountered it (8% vs. 3%), and nearly three times more likely to have considered dropping out of school. When it comes to online behavior, only half think their actions could come back to haunt them, and 1 in 4 believe that their digital actions could have legal consequences.
Where is Your Line?
SAFER friend Nancy Schwartzman asks, “where is your line?” She is launching a college tour with her documentary film, The Line.
THE LINE campaign is an interactive program dedicated to exploring issues surrounding sexual consent using the documentary film THE LINE as an educational tool. Nancy Schwartzman, the filmmaker, is an activist and survivor and has brought the film to over 20 universities nationwide. They are now kicking off a National College Tour where they screen the film and create a much-needed dialogue about hooking up, boundaries and consent. The film is about Nancy’s personal journey to understand her sexual assault, and eventually confront the man and film it. Along the way, there are conversations with lawmakers, activists, football players, and prostitutes about consent and the grey areas in between.
If you’re interested in bringing Nancy and The Line to your campus, contact Sheila Aminmadani at thelinemovie@gmail.com.
