Teens, social media is not the place to air your dirty laundry.

That’s the message behind a frank Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) discussion about social media etiquette and modern morality, this evening.

WRC executive director Patrice Frith Hayward said Bridging the Gap – Social Etiquette and Public Behaviour Discussion, was sparked by a controversial social media recording of a young teen having sex at Cup Match.

“That broke our hearts,” said Ms Frith Hayward. “That sparked a lot of conversation. But this couple aren’t the only ones. There are a lot of young people, and adults who will film sexual acts and post them online.

“That is why we need to have a conversation and find why they are doing these things. Why do they think it is okay?”

Ms Frith Hayward said we’ve all heard conversations that begin: ‘back in my day, we never...’.

“I am 52,” she said. “I admit that my generation wasn’t perfect. We did get up to things in my day, but we didn’t publicly broadcast it the way kids do today. Kids today seem like they have no regard for what people think of them.

“They are no longer worried about their reputations. At this discussion, we are not just saying, why are these girls behaving like this, but also, what can we do about it?”

Ms Frith Hayward said there has been an outpouring of support for the discussion aimed at everyone 15 years old and older.

“One of our supporters sent an e-mail,” said Ms Frith Hayward. “She said it is time for us to show up, stand up and speak up. We need to look at what is happening between the generations. Where did we possibly go wrong?”

She has had calls from parents with children under 15 asking to come to the discussion.

“One lady asked to come who has a daughter who is ten years old,” said Ms Frith Hayward. “I said, okay, but there’s going to be a frank discussion about sex. She said, ‘good’. We need to talk about these things with our kids.

“At the WRC, we try to make sure we are providing information to empower women,” said Ms Frith Hayward.

“We thought it was time to have a conversation between the younger and older generation about some of the things going on.”

Bridging the Gap – Social Etiquette and Public Behaviour Discussion will be held at Charities House at 25 Point Finger Road in Paget, starting at 6pm sharp. There will be light refreshments available.

“We would like to acknowledge our sponsors, The Royal Gazette, Salon Pink and AF Smith,” said Ms Frith Hayward.

Although drop-ins are welcome at the event, people are encouraged to register by calling 295-3882 or by e-mailing wrc@wrcbermuda.com .

•¶For more information check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Womens-Resource-Centre-Bermuda/125510794149626?fref=ts.