Proud and thankful to my daughter Sophie for creating original artwork and imagery for #dontshowme
Updated Monday, November 7, 2016
On the heels of International Day of the Girl and now, Safe Schools Week, there is no time like the present to launch #dontshowme.
Please excuse missing apostrophe in “don’t”, as there is no punctuation in hashtags.
WHAT IS #DONTSHOWME?
First, picture this (no pun intended) – two middle or high school aged kids huddled together before first period over a phone, gasping at the sight of a leaked photo of a half naked classmate. Cue drama. Rumors of the girl who had sent it, to a boy she thought she could trust, had spread virally a few days before in a group text, and now someone had the actual photo (now we’re talking distribution of child pornography). Fast forward to a crowded hallway filled with whispers of the “sexting” and “can you even believe its”. This devolves quickly into snickers of “what a slut”, “she’s a whore”, and worse. Soon, many have happily jumped on the free wheeling shame-wagon with nary a thought as to what the victim of such a personally humiliating betrayal might be going through. Between facing family, friends, law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, and anyone who lives within a ten mile radius, it has to be hellish.
SEXTING FACTS:
Today, girls are more likely to be asked to share an inappropriate photo before their first kiss. This is happening in every school district in every city in this country and, I’m sure, around the world. The shaming that follows is devastating and sometimes deadly for the person whose trust has been shattered.
Anyone who would ask you to share an inappropriate pic is a) not worth your time and b) not to be trusted. I can promise you there is a 110% chance the photo WILL be shared and/or gossiped about. every. time. Don’t do it.
DON’T SHOW ME DARE CAMPAIGN:
Aims to inspire tweens and teens to stand together in the name of respect and potentially save a life.
By taking the #dontshowme dare, you are saying to your friends and classmates:
🔅I respect you and will never ask you to share an inappropriate photo.
🔅I respect myself and will not share inappropriate photos of me or anyone else.
🔅I will not participate in humiliating a classmate after an inappropriate photo or other potentially embarrassing information about them has been leaked.
🔅I will take a moment to think, “Hey, what if this was happening to me?” before commenting or spreading gossip about a classmate- no matter who they are.
🔅I will stand together with my friends and classmates in the name of self respect and respect for others and say, “Don’t show me.”
Some of the young people who have taken the #dontshowme dare
Since its launch on October 13, 2016, the #dontshowme dare campaign has gained national and international media attention with additional mainstream media outlets expressing interest daily.
WARNING! ACTIONS ARE CONTAGIOUS:
This is one social media dare every parent, grandparent, teacher, coach or anyone who has influence among young people, should be talking about. Round up your friends, students, team, crew, squad, whoever- and take the #dontshowme dare! Share your pics via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, using the hashtag and don’t forget to tag me @jjcannonauthor so I can see!
Thanks for stopping by,
xo Jen
J. J. Cannon 