The (Little Green) Elephant on the Keyboard

The more I tell you about the MyPwr App, the more I notice the giant elephant in the room. (Or maybe I should say the little green elephant walking across my keyboard.)

Which I'm pretty sure you've noticed, too.

So let's address it once and for all, and maybe it'll get quieter.

For years, I've spoken out against making women's safety dependent on a phone.

For years, I've spoken out against making women's safety dependent on a phone.

Why?

Because more often than not, the safety models we see on our phones send us messages like, "Your phone can call for help. Your phone can bring your savior. YOU are not capable of protecting yourself.

YOU need to make sure your phone is fully charged all the time so that you can reach somebody who can intervene when you need saving."

Really?

That's not a message I want to give my granddaughters or grandsons.

I want them to have all the skills they need to navigate this world as safely as humanly possible. And developing those tools starts with THEM!

I want them to have all the skills they need to navigate this world as safely as humanly possible. And developing those tools starts with THEM!

I want them to ask themselves, "How do I use my body to keep myself safe?" This doesn't mean I want them to take responsibility for how somebody behaves towards them.

The behavior and actions might not be their fault, but I want them to believe in their ability to respond and realize that they have the skills to know how to handle a terrifying situation.

I want them to practice these skills and understand what they feel like in their bodies.

Unfortunately, the MyPwr App won't come with a superhero who will jump out of your phone to rescue you should the need arise. But it will help you develop the ability to respond when your boundaries - either emotional or physical - are crossed.

But it will help you develop the ability to respond when your boundaries - either emotional or physical - are crossed.

In other words, rather than hold you responsible, the app will teach you to be response-ABLE. No superhero necessary.

I hope that clears everything up!

How do you see the difference between "responsible" and "response-ABLE?"