Should I stand up for myself?
If you’re being bullied, you sometimes can respond on your own. If it feels safe, try to stand up to the bully, but that doesn’t mean fighting back or getting even. The strategy is different for online bullying. If you are being cyber bullied, don't reply but save evidence of the bullying.

In any case, it’s a good idea to tell an adult about the problem.
For more in-depth advice, go to stopbullyingnow.

Talking With Your Parents and Other Family Members
Having trouble getting your point across to parents or sibs? It’s important to learn how to work out conflicts, or just discuss something, on your own.

Begin to prepare for that tough conversation, or for a great moment of personal connection, by visiting the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Web site.

From texting to “sexting”
Communicating on your computer or cell phone can seem a lot safer than a face-to-face encounter, but it’s important to realize that whatever you say or do electronically is out there in a far more permanent way than if you said or did it in person.

One of the newest self-made dangers to teens is “sexting,” sending explicit photos through e-mail, phone texting or even through social media. It’s worth looking at from your parents’ point of view at momlogic.com. If you want to know more about protecting your personal stuff online, you can read an article by the same author at yourcec.org.

Feeling down?
It’s hard out there for kid. And it’s normal to feel a little sad or lonely at times. It’s all a matter of degree.

If you think these feelings are getting too intense – for either you or a friend -- check out these tips and tools at helpguide.org.

How do I fit?
At least 16 different ethnic groups are represented in Deltona, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau information available. And that’s to say nothing of the differences among us in age, education, religious beliefs, abilities and the million other aspects of human identity.

Yes, diversity is here to stay. How much do you know about diversity and related issues like racism, discrimination and intolerance? To learn more, check out the resources for teens at tolerance.org.

Friends Don’t Let Friends…
Make peer pressure work the right way, by helping a friend to resist or get off drugs.

If you have friends who are using drugs or alcohol, you may be the only person who can convince them to stop or get help.  Learn more about stepping up to help a friend at freevibe.com.

The new kid on the block
When families move, making and maintaining friends can seem like mission impossible. But, if you’re in middle or high school, there’s no other time in life when friends are more critical.

Don’t feel all alone, though, Miss or Mr. Lonely. It’s an issue all over the world, and plenty of people have come up with strategies to make it easier to get acquainted and become better acquainted – check out a Web site from the United Kingdom, teenissues.

Monkey see, monkey resist
We all want to be liked and accepted, and that sometimes is used against us. Peer pressure will be a factor for the rest of our lives, but the difference later will be in how we’ve learned to deal with it.

Need a little help? Visit the cool spot.

How Can I Tell?
If you know the statistics – more than half of  Volusia County students from 10 to 14 years old surveyed in 2008 reported using alcohol or some illicit drug at some time in their lives – you can figure there are some problems out there.

How do you know if your friend has crossed the line into drug or alcohol abuse? Take this quiz at abovetheinfluence.