Ttext is about plugging into youth and meeting them where they are today. A Pew study indicates that 71% of youth possess cell phones. You know it's true -- you've seen them! Utilizing SMS text messaging technology and a bulk provider SMS gateway, Ttext sends a text message daily to the phones of teen participants with a variety of positive content.

Approximately 1/3 of the content we send contains teen related news, humor, and general interest content and is aimed at establishing an energetic relationship with the teens. The other 2/3rds of the content is positive outcome based and inspirational in nature. It provides beneficial information to teens in order to increase awareness about risky-behavior choices (e.g. “Did u know that if current tobacco patterns persist, an estimated 6.4 mil children will die early from a smoking-related disease?”) and also general positive messages aimed at increasing individual self-esteem and promoting a nonviolent teen culture (e.g. “Say hi! to a random student in the hall of your school today – use a big smile!”).

An additional feature and benefit of the program will be to poll teens about current teen behavioral patterns (e.g. “How many friends do u know who took one drink or more of alcohol this weekend?”) thus promoting two-way communication by establishing a virtual relationship with teen participants as well as providing live data about what teens are actually doing.

Data gathered from teen participant surveys is completely anonymous and will only be utilized for future program decisions so that the most contemporary and relevant evidence is used to understand today’s youth. As a recognized and registered 501 (C) 3 nonprofit organization, we want to help teens and to help parents like you by providing 21st century parenting tools!