As I study teen culture each week, I often reflect on how our changing culture has affected the way today's teens approach the universal challenges of adolescence differently than teens in the past.

One of the things that have drastically changed is how teens today approach dating. For example, in the past teens asked each other out in person or by phone and confirmed their relationship status by getting pinned or wearing a letter jacket. But today's teens flirt through MySpace messages, ask each other out via text messaging and confirm they are an item on Facebook.

Of course, this move of teen dating to the digital world has helped to simplify meeting and connecting with each other but it has also complicated romantic relationships in a way that is a cause for concern.

For example, it has been widely reported that 20 percent of teens have sent nude or semi-nude photos of themselves to others, and 39 percent have sent sexual e-mail or instant messages. Researchers are saying that many of the teens who send these types of messages do so because of pressure from a boyfriend or girlfriend. This type of behavior is part of what the Family Violence Prevention Fund is calling digital dating violence. In addition to pressuring a partner to send nude pics and sexual messages, digital violence can also include sending non-stop text messages, cyber stalking someone's social networking profile, and posting mean or cruel messages on a boyfriend or girlfriend's MySpace or Facebook page. According to the group, these behaviors can also be a sign of current or future domestic violence.

Because this is a growing problem in teen dating, the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Ad Council are working together to raise awareness among teens about what constitutes harassment in a relationship and what to do about it. Together they've launched an ad campaign and Web site, ThatsNotCool.com, to encourage teens to set boundaries in relationships.

The site also provides advice for teens dealing with digital dating violence.

While sites like this can help teens deal with the complications and dangers of dating in the digital age, they still need guidance and support from parents. One reason why this problem has become so widespread is because most parents don't see the text messages their teen sends and receives or the messages being posted on his or her MySpace and Facebook page, and they

are unable to provide direction about relationship boundaries and

expectations online. However, teaching your teen about what to provide and what to expect in relationships should begin before there are problems and even before the first date.

When children are growing up, parents should strive to model a relationship of love, respect and trust. This behavior is not only good for the relationship of parents but it also provides an example of how to behave and what to expect in relationships. Parents should also regularly discuss those expectations with teens. Ask them what they think about the significance of

things like mutual respect and trust, easy conversation, shared values and similar interests in a relationship. By creating opportunities for these conversations to occur, parents can consistently communicate their expectations and values to their teens.

This consistency is vital when talking about sex and dating. Even though it can be uncomfortable to talk about, it is crucial for young people to understand the values and expectations of their parents concerning sex. When teens are ready to begin dating, it is those expectations paired with guidance and boundaries that are needed more than ever.