Are you intimidated by gadgets, computers, cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, Web cams and the general onslaught of technology that has pushed its way into our lives? Many parents are intimidated, and rightfully so.

We also live in a culture obsessed with celebrities and the latest trends. Teens are often at the center of it all. There is an entire industry focused on marketing movies, music, fashion and other products to teen audiences.

So it’s no wonder that many parents feel helpless trying to compete with the messages that popular culture promotes.

So, how can you get over those feelings of helplessness? How can you get into your teen’s “digital world?” Here are some ways to get started:

What are your own feelings and beliefs regarding pop culture? Know your own limits and expectations first so you can then set guidelines for your teen.

Get educated. Find out what music, Web sites and other media interest your teen. These will change, so ask often.

Learn how to analyze media messages, so you can help your teen translate them.

Engage in media use with your teen and get comfortable with new technologies, especially if your child is using them. Use these opportunities to talk about what is credible and why.

Encourage teens to think critically about what they hear, see and read.

As a parent, you may still be wondering how to think critically about what is real in pop culture and what is not. The challenge of helping your teen navigate past messages and images they see in magazines, on TV and the Internet may seem overwhelming because you, yourself, are not so sure about how to interpret them.

It is not easy. Between people claiming to be experts and countless sources of news and information, it’s hard to know what to believe.

TheAntiDrug.com offers practical guidance on how to take the first step — get smart about the different types of media today and learn how to talk to your teen about being a critical consumer of information.

Anyone can join the list for this newsletter by visiting www.thesntidrug.com and entering an e-mail address on the home page.

If you suspect your child is using:• Wait until you are calm to talk to them• Encourage honesty because that is what you want• Tell your child what you saw and how you feel about it. Be specific.• Focus on the behavior, not on the child• Be a good role model• Set clear rules and guidelines and let the child know that they will be enforced.• Enroll help from other parents, community, and school

Need to talk: If you have questions about this topic, call the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Program at 724-284-5114 or the county’s drug tip line at 866-363-3784.