Scholastic News Sticky Situation • February 1, 2010

Jerome is waiting to be picked up from school when he gets a text message from a number he doesn’t recognize. The text says that it is from a friend who wants to know Jerome’s location. Jerome wants to respond. But his dad told him to not respond to any unfamiliar texts or calls. What should Jerome do?

Write a paragraph explaining what you think Jerome should do in the "Post a comment" section below.

Other Scholastic News readers will be posting their thoughts about this week's ethical dilemma, too. So come back to the Sticky Situation blog to discuss their solutions!

Comments

[April M]

Jerome should text the person back because may be he wants to come over and play with him.

[Jasmine B.]

I think he should not look at the respond back because if he dont knkow who it is he should just erace the message and they ask were the location is i think he should show his dad.

[Trinity B.]

I think Jerome shouldn't reply to the text.And when he gets home he should show his parents the text so his parents can solve that problem.

[Tiffany L.]

I think that Jerome should call his dad to pick him up. Jerome should just ignore the text. He should listen to his dad or he could be endangered. If he doesn't know the person which he doesn't he could just ask him who he is. If he or she doesn't tell Jerome then he should just ask his dad if he's firmiliar with the person.

[gianna n]

Jerome shoud NOT reply to the message. He should call his Mom or Dad tell them about the message.

[Dharma S.]

CAUTION: DO NOT ANSWER!!!!

[pamelac.]

i think jerome should ignore it and erase the text message, and when his dad picks him up tellhim what happened.

[Eryn G.]

Jerome should not open the text message because the text message may be a virese.

[farzana f.]

dont respond, or somethin can happen...and tell ur parents...

[Mikkah L.]

He should tell his parents right away...And they should report it to the police!!!!!He should not reply and he should get a different number....

[Samantha C]

Ask his friend questions that only his real friend would know. Then go in to the school to tell the closest adult.

[Nobonita P.]

jerome should not reply until his guardian tells him to, or reply "who are you".

[Flappy]

I think that he should listen to his dad and not answer that person and erase the message and tell an adult. That person might want to hurt him or his family. HE SHOULD LISTEN TO HIS DAD.

[laihpqae;r]

he should go home and tell his parents and his parents will certainly do something about so it will be alright

[Jailene L]

ithink jerome should ignore the text message

[cotton candy]

He should never respond to an unown number it could be a criminal

[jazzy n]

he should turn it off and let his parent or guardian know about that!!!!!!!!!!

[001 m.]

NO WAY THAT YOU SHOULD REPLY YOU SHOULD JUST TELL YOUR MOM AND THEN LET HER READ IT AND MAKE UP A NOT REAL PLACE AND HAVE YOUR MOM RITE IT AND THEN EVERY THING WIL BE OK.TELL YOUR MOM AND DAD ABOUT IT BUT OLY THEM.THEN ASK THEM IF THEY SENT THAT TO YOU.IT WOULD NOT BEGOOD IF YOU GOT KIDNAPED.

[antoinette k.]

jerome should tell an adult you trust then delete the message so you can have some fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kesha J.]

I think that Jerome shouldnt txt back that person because that person can be a pedifal.

[Akhila. M]

ask your parents to give you the permission and than give him the adrezz

[stephanie b]

i wouldnt even reply back to the stranger because he could get into a lotta trouble

[EB]

He shouldn't reply

[SAmmie]

Whatevr yuh do, D0 N0t REPlYY !
It could be a kidnapp./
Tell yo parents && they will make yuh safe && take it frm there. (:

[Brooklyn P.]

He should ask what is his friends name.

[Cara C]

ARE YOU CRAZY? Don't reply back to the text, because it could be a kidnap for all he knows on the other line. Let your parents know about this. It also could be someone trying to be nice to you at first, but then they can be cyber bullying you the next day. Don't be afraid to tell your parents about this stituation. You may not know it, but it could be DANGEROUS to send a text message to someone you don't know. Just like facebook, skype, and twitter could be worse than this! Just tell your parents and they will help you and I just know it.

[someone]

i think that he should not text back to whoever that is.

[Katelyn G.]

Text them back saying"I have no idea who you are so dont text to me again un til you can prove your someone I know."

[Marysa G.]

Don"t reply because you never know who they are or what they want. Just don"t reply or much easier, delete it and just forget about it. But, if they keep texting you< tell an adult you trust. But, if they start making threats and harrassing you< tell an adult to call the police and you can work it out that way:)

[rebbeca h]

i think he shouldnt respond to the text because it might be a stranger who would want to kidnape him he should DELETE the message. And tell a parent as soon as possible.

[Olivia G]

I think Jerome should turn off the phone berfore anything. He should also try not to panic that will just make things worse. When he is finished turning his phone off he should go to the closest adult that he knows and tell them his situation.(including a teacher or parent) The reason he should tell an adult is because he needs to contact his parents ASAP!!!!!!, and if it goes to far which means the stranger is still trying to get Jerome's personal information them he needs to tell the police. [:

[Chloe M.]

I think he shouln't text back brcause it could be somebody dangerous or somwbody who is trying to get him.

[Fayza]

Jerome should tell him no thanks and delete the text message and to not respond him, and he should also block that phone number in his cell phone.

[Mikayla L]

He should not respond but tell an adult that he knows as soon as he can.

[Andrew K.]

He should not respond to the text.

[Lina A.]

Don't talk to strangers. You never know you could get kidnapped or worse. A phone call, text message, letters, E-mails DELETE DELETE DELETE! Give NO personal info. If you have to, be with a parent Only. You might say friend, but your friends may not know they will say "Go ahead. I won't tell anyone." Parents Only!

[abc123]

DELETE THE TEXT RIGHT AWAY

[leonardo s]

i think he should not text cause it might be a fake text messeg and it could be a stranger

[BREANNA]

I think he should tell his dad.And give that proson the wrong addres

[caitlin g]

I think he should not answer the text message because the person might go to your house and tried to hurt you.you should report the text message to the police and tell your dad what happened.If this person text you the same thing tell him to go away or else you will tell the police and he will get you arrested!

[Ashley W 3c]

I think he should go with his father advice because it could be a stranger and act like his friend

[MARIAH L]

he should not say anything just tell his mom and dad

[Aira T.]

I think he should say a fake address like, 14121 IM NOT A DUMBO Ave.

[Celinette F]

I think Jerome should ask his friends what their number is and if it is none of his friends number he should tell the police to track down the number.

[leslie]

I think He should answer but tell the wrong address

[Cayden]

He should just delete it because it might be a cyber bully person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bridget L.]

although he wants to respond you will never know who is texting you an it might be a bad guy so i wouldn't do it.

[andrew k.]

i think that jerome should delete the message.

[Nick d.]

i think he should delete his message and and tell a responsible adult

[Nicolette N.]

i thought that the boy shouldn't text that guy back.

A. He dosen't know who it is from

B. That guy can be a kidnapper

C. He can find where you live and kill your family