LAS VEGAS - Every day, teens deal with complex issues such as sex, drugs, alcohol and gangs. Identifying and tackling those problems can be hard for both teens and their parents. A new smart phone application, however, gives them valuable information to tackle these problems.
The application is called "Destructive Issues". Turning Point Educational Experience developed the app in Las Vegas. It allows users to find information on 20 topics ranging from alcohol to teen pregnancy.
"There are so many issues that we'll actually be talking to a parent about, and they'll say, ‘I don't even know what that issue is,'" said Turning Point's Eric Nidiffer. "How are you going to deal with an issue if you don't know what that issue is?"
Thousands of people all over the world are using the free app to help teens cope with life's challenges.
"We received an email from a gentleman who was working with a young lady who was involved in self mutilation," Nidiffer said. "He had no idea what to tell her, but because of the app, he was able to walk her through the process and get her plugged in to the help that she needed."
The app is designed for both parents and teachers. "Here's what educators can do. It gives them step-by-step ways to help a student dealing with these issues," Nidiffer said.
The app divides information into two sections. One is awareness, which educates, informs, and provides scenarios. "(That is) so… they really understand what they're dealing with. Why would they choose to join a game? Why would they choose cyberbullying? There are some ways to find out," Nidiffer said.
The other section is response or step-by-step methods of dealing with the issues. "What do I do about this? How do I prevent my kid from going through this? How do I actually intervene if my student is already dealing with this? Then, actual resources on where to get help," Nidiffer said.
The app also refers parents to pre-approved agencies that deal with specific problems. "(It is) a free tool out there that parents can use, that's a one-stop shop on all the issues, for all the resources compiled with the experts across the country," Nidiffer said. "It just works, and it is working."
The application is currently available on iPhones, iPods and iPads. It will be available on Droid phones next month. The Southern Nevada Gang Task Force worked with the Turning Point Educational Experience to produce the app.
