Yes, Heather. THOSE pics! | Source

The thing is that today there’s almost no such thing as private pictures, private emails, or even private texts. Phones and email accounts get hacked every day–plus, honestly, how many times have you simply lost a cell phone? Probably more than once. And if you had private stuff on there . . . let’s just say it’s not so private anymore.

Plus, because of the Patriot Act which started after 9/11, the government keeps a record of every text message you send (seriously, everything–the bad jokes you send to your friends, the maybe very sexy texts you send to a certain someone–everything). It doesn’t matter if you delete those texts from your phone right after sending them, because a record is still being kept on some mega computer owned by the government.

Do you want him seeing your pics?! | Source

Common sense, girls. Common sense.

Have you ever gotten in trouble because of something you had on your phone, texted, or put in Facebook? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Want To Know More About Whose Phones Are Hacked?

Do you send it without even thinking twice, or do you hesitate a bit? A lot of girls are faced with that decision, and they don’t always give it the thought it truly deserves. Don’t get us wrong. Sexting can be fun — as long as you’re smart about it. But sometimes the excitement of a new relationship and a person that we can’t stop thinking about gets the better of us, and causes us to do reckless things.

We want to know what you girls think about sending sexy texts and naked pictures to your sweetie. Read some of our readers’ opinions and then tell us how you feel.

leylaxx said: Technology is easily corrupted and not everything you send via text or email or Skype is secure. More likely than not, if anything causes you issues it will be technology. So, answer this — is it really worth it on your behalf for a small, grainy picture of your boobs to go through all this stress and anxiety?

hero_of_the_day replied, saying: I agree with you. Sending nudes is a risk, whether it’s to your husband of 10 years or the guy you met at the bar. Just like having sex is a risk (for pregnancy), even if you use condoms. Pics can get out by accident, even if you trust the guy. All it takes is a dropped phone or stolen computer or e-mail sent to the wrong person.

hem replied, saying: i give my boyfriend naked pics. he lives 200 miles away, i don’t see him very often, and i trust him completely. it doesn’t have to be drama as long as you’re not sending them to an a-hole.

These ladies definitely have a point. While sending naked pictures can form a bond between you and your sweetie, there are serious risks that accompany it. Hacking happens! Just have a chat with Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, and Scarlett Johannson.

Ask yourself this: would you be able to deal with the consequences if that photo of you ever got out? If you think it could potentially ruin your life if your friends, family and strangers saw you in a sexually compromising position, don’t do it.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t flirt with your hun via technology though. (We’re not against all flirty fun! Sheesh!) What we’re saying is that sexy doesn’t have to mean naked. Go ahead and flirt with your sweetie on text or Skype. Tell him just how excited you are to see him next or send her a picture of your dream date with a “wish we could do this together” message. Just use your best judgement. Smart sexting = happy sexting.

Who do you agree with? Do you think it’s no big deal to send naked pictures to your sweetie, or is it something you would never do? Tell us in the comments.

Now, read a confession from a girl who had a nude photoshoot!

sexting

Put down that phone, gURL...

You’re hot, you know it (hell, yeah!), and it’s super tempting to share racy photos with your very special somebody–but the consequences of sexting can be, well, anything but sexy. Of course you trust your sweetie, but there’s no way to know that those private pics of you in bed won’t get spread around to other people by hackers, frienemies, or your ex if you break up–and they could even end up online like Scarlett Johannson’s did. Scarlett’s lucky that people forget about nude celeb photos pretty quickly, but in real life, having your foxy photos go viral can be embarrassing, lead to major drama at school (almost half of high school guys say they’ve seen at least one naked pic of a female classmates), and generally turn your life upside-down. Recent studies even show that gURLs in high school are twice as likely to be depressed and five times as likely to attempt suicide if they’ve either sent or received sexts. So it’s no surprise that gURLs everywhere are buzzing about sexting–whether they do it or not.

To try to protect gURLs and guys under 18, some states have taken a stand against sexting and made it totally illegal for young people to send sexually explicit texts–but the laws totally depend on where you live. For instance, if someone under 18 in Texas gets caught sending a sext, they would be asked to attend an anti-sexting class as their punishment. Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, if a minor is caught sending nude or semi-nude photos, they will have to appear in Family Court and have a “status” offense filed under their name, while anyone 18 or over in that state who forwards or sends out sexy pics of anyone under 18 (even if it’s their boyfriend or girlfriend) could be charged with child pornography and have to register as a sex offender. The label of sex offender isn’t anything to take lightly, either–it puts you in the same category of rapists, and can get you kicked out of college and worse. Many people, including a few government officials, think that’s going too far, and that young people should be allowed to do what they want with their cell phones and their bodies without such scary penalties.

WDYT? Is sexting just another way of expressing yourself or is it something gURLs do because they feel pressured to be sexy? Do you think gURLs should be allowed to send whatever they want over text? Have you ever sent a sexy pic you’ve wished you could take back? Get talking below!

Ever heard of Warby Parker? They’re an amazing glasses company that gives someone in need a pair of glasses when you buy a pair. On top of that, glasses are $95. You can order a bunch of pairs online, and only keep and pay for the one you like best. Also, they are freaking CUTE. [Warby Parker]

Are you a filmmaker? Upload your short film between April 27th and May 20th and you can win a Mac computer loaded with movie-editing software, an iPad 2, a camcorder, $1,000 for your school’s drama or arts department, and a chance for you and five of your friends to see your movie screened before Super 8 on opening day! So very sick. [Channel One]

Arm The Animals is an organization that makes stellar shirts and hoodies, and they give the profits to animal care organizations. Call us partial, but we love the white shirt with the pink kitty. [Arm The Animals]

And speaking of our furry friends, check out this cool event for New York’s animal shelters. Tickets are on sale and the cause is oh so excellent. [Love 4 Animals Fundraiser]

Last but not least, a lovely company called O2 MAX just created a Youth Fitness Passport program that teaches teens how to get fit for a lifetime. Programs cost $50 and up, but a few lucky students can get a passport for free. E-mail  karen@o2maxfitness.com for an application. [O2 MAX]

Have you seen anything cool on the web lately? Leave it in the comments below!

more ways to get gURLy:

• Pearls of wisdom, survey q’s, polls, quotes to live by — it’s all on gURL.com’s Twitter. Follow us!
• Luv gURL? Then ‘Like’ us, too! Let’s be friends on Facebook and you’ll get first looks at stories!
• Can’t get enough of gURL.com? We don’t blame you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
• Let’s talk. Shout Out advice, music, politics, poetry, your style and MORE!
• Your hook on hooking up: gURL’s sex, health & relationships blog.
• Need some advice, quick? Ask Heather anything; she answers three q’s, daily!
• Bored? Take new quizzes and play gURL games!

are you cuter than this little lady?

Wanna win the title of Cutest Vegetarian Alive? One lucky animal lover will win a professional photo shoot AND the opportunity to star in a peta2 ad! Get on it! [peta2]

Sometimes celebs like Lady Gaga say really smart, insightful things about body image. Other times, um… notsomuch. [College Candy]

Did Jenelle Evans fake that big fight she was in? It sure looks that way! [Ology]

Do you believe these 25 “universal truths” about men? What are 25 truths about gURLs? [Savvy Miss]

Even if your prom turns out to be really bad (fingers crossed that it won’t!), you can find comfort in the fact that you won’t look this awkward! [Buzzfeed]

And finally, does your camel toe ever show? It’s embarrassing, but fixable! [The Frisky]

more ways to get gURLy:

• Pearls of wisdom, survey q’s, polls, quotes to live by — it’s all on gURL.com’s Twitter. Follow us!
• Luv gURL? Then ‘Like’ us, too! Let’s be friends on Facebook and you’ll get first looks at stories!
• Can’t get enough of gURL.com? We don’t blame you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
• Let’s talk. Shout Out advice, music, politics, poetry, your style and MORE!
• Your hook on hooking up: gURL’s sex, health & relationships blog.
• Need some advice, quick? Ask Heather anything; she answers three q’s, daily!
• Bored? Take new quizzes and play gURL games!



guys get self-concious, too!

It’s true that some celebs <3 their bods, but others are still struggling — guys included. Apparently, Joe Jonas is “worried about developing stretch marks and dimpling on his thighs, so he uses anti-cellulite cream”. Do you know any dudes who worry about their looks? [Hollywood Dame]

Ashley Fink can “act her face off” and won’t let anyone tell her that her size will hold her back! Swoon! [Seventeen]

Leave Rebecca Black ALONE! Lady Gaga is completely against the cyber-bullying the “Friday” singer is getting… and thinks the gURL is a genius! [PopEater]

Someone finally admits it! Vanessa Hudgens agrees that Hollywood success has a lot to do with staying thin thin. [Hollywood Life]

We guess Simon Cowell isn’t a fan of Gossip Girl (and especially not Pretty Reckless) – he doesn’t even know who Taylor Momsen is! [Wetpaint]

A Spanx-like product is promising “Latino” curves for gURLs… do you think the advertisement is racist? [Ology]

more ways to get gURLy:

• Pearls of wisdom, survey q’s, polls, quotes to live by — it’s all on gURL.com’s Twitter. Follow us!
• Luv gURL? Then ‘Like’ us, too! Let’s be friends on Facebook and you’ll get first looks at stories!
• Can’t get enough of gURL.com? We don’t blame you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
• Let’s talk. Shout Out advice, music, politics, poetry, your style and MORE!
• Your hook on hooking up: gURL’s sex, health & relationships blog.
• Need some advice, quick? Ask Heather anything; she answers three q’s, daily!
• Bored? Take new quizzes and play gURL games!

could you imagine Hannah with Taylor?

Taylor Momsen wants the world to know that yes, she did audition for Hannah Montana, and that she is so over talking about it. [Popdust]

Excited for the Skins finale? Peep this exclusive interview with Blaine Morris. [Wetpaint]

Lookie! A panda bear manicure — A pandicure! [The Frisky]

Is this Glee “audition” super weird? Uh huh. Do we love it? Totally. [The Daily What]

And finally, check out this awesome letter to a high school senior written by a college senior on College Candy:

By Jenn Inzetta

Dear Graduating High School Senior,

Don’t take this the wrong way, but you really need to chill out.

This whole choosing a college thing? Despite what your teachers tell you, despite what your parents tell you, despite what you have told yourself time and time again, it’s really not as big of a deal as you think it is. Just…trust me on this one.

Want to know how I know this privileged information? Well, because four short years ago, I was you. So I know exactly how stressed out you are, how worried you are that you will make the wrong decision, how upset you are that you didn’t actually get into your dream school, how upsetting it is to know that you did get into your dream school but you just can’t afford to go.

I won’t belittle your feelings. I know that right now these issues seem life altering. And to a certain extent they are. Whether you’re going to community college or a state school, living at home or moving halfway around the world, your life will be changing, simply because you’re going to college.

The how and the where and the why all seem really important right now. But this time next year, they just won’t. For those of you that have gotten into your dream schools and have the fundings to attend:  congrats. You will have an amazing college experience. But for those of you that didn’t, those of you who are left with fewer options than you thought you’d have, I’m telling you that all hope is not lost. You too, will have an amazing college experience.

That dream you have in your head of your perfect college life at the perfect school? That’s not real college life. Because college is not how you imagine it to be, no matter how you imagine it to be. It’s just one of those things; you’re not in it until you’re in it. And it doesn’t matter what you plan, or how you think it will go, it just won’t go that way. But that’s okay because your real college experience will be so much better than that.

You’ll take strange classes, some fun, some boring. You’ll meet new people. (Some of those will be fun, and some of those will be boring too.) You’ll have lots of new experiences, and you’ll change, grow, and hopefully figure out who you are and what you want. (Or at least which college stereotype you fit into. You’ll make friends you’ll never forget and memories you wish you could forget. You will screw up and second guess yourself, and change your major more times than you ever thought possible. And it will all be one giant mess of fun, crazy, ridiculous, life changing, mundane, unnecessary but yet still completely necessary experiences. And you will love it.

So don’t stress so much. Choose what feels right, do what you have to do it, and then let it go. Next year you’ll join some clubs, go to some parties, (hopefully) take some classes and things will start to make more sense. Well, no actually, for the first few weeks things will seem terrifying and horrible. But after that it’s all up hill.  So like I said, don’t stress it.

Jealously yours,

A soon to be college grad

P.S. If you really, really hate it, you can always transfer.

Want more great life advice like this? Check out CollegeCandy.com. It’s like your cool older sister who’s been away at college for a few years and knows a thing or two about living on campus, partying on the weekends, dating frat boys, having safe sex, hitting the books, and so much more!

more ways to get gURLy:

• Pearls of wisdom, survey q’s, polls, quotes to live by — it’s all on gURL.com’s Twitter. Follow us!
• Luv gURL? Then ‘Like’ us, too! Let’s be friends on Facebook and you’ll get first looks at stories!
• Can’t get enough of gURL.com? We don’t blame you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
• Let’s talk. Shout Out advice, music, politics, poetry, your style and MORE!
• Your hook on hooking up: gURL’s sex, health & relationships blog.
• Need some advice, quick? Ask Heather anything; she answers three q’s, daily!
• Bored? Take new quizzes and play gURL games!

too outrageous?

Between her song lyrics and press statements, Nicki Minaj has said so many times that she doesn’t care what people think of her. And now that she’s included a dildo in her act, she’s officially proven it!

|Love talking about sex? Gab away about anything and everything on the Shout Out Boards!|

While performing at the I Am Music 2011 tour in Buffalo, NY, the “Moment 4 Life” singer busted out the sex toy as she totally rocked the mic.

What do you think of Nicki’s… accessory? Have you ever used one? Is it inappropriate for her to use one on stage? Discuss below!

more ways to get gURLy:

• Pearls of wisdom, survey q’s, polls, quotes to live by — it’s all on gURL.com’s Twitter. Follow us!
• Luv gURL? Then ‘Like’ us, too! Let’s be friends on Facebook and you’ll get first looks at stories!
• Can’t get enough of gURL.com? We don’t blame you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
• Let’s talk. Shout Out advice, music, politics, poetry, your style and MORE!
• Your hook on hooking up: gURL’s sex, health & relationships blog.
• Need some advice, quick? Ask Heather anything; she answers three q’s, daily!
• Bored? Take new quizzes and play gURL games!

Check out what Lady Gaga and a few more of our other fave gURLs looked like at their own proms.  [Teen]

Love kiss-date-dump (aka f-marry-kill)? Play it with Hollywood hotties! [Alloy.com]

We’re loving all of this drama over Hunger Games casting. Have you read the book? [GossipGirl.net]

And speaking of reading, the latest Vampire Diaries book The Return: Midnight is hitting shelves TODAY! [VampireDiaries.com]

Who would win a fight between Jenna and Spencer? Troian Bellisario knows the answer to that… [PrettyLittleLiars.com]

more ways to get gURLy:

• Pearls of wisdom, survey q’s, polls, quotes to live by — it’s all on gURL.com’s Twitter. Follow us!
• Luv gURL? Then ‘Like’ us, too! Let’s be friends on Facebook and you’ll get first looks at stories!
• Can’t get enough of gURL.com? We don’t blame you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
• Let’s talk. Shout Out advice, music, politics, poetry, your style and MORE!
• Your hook on hooking up: gURL’s sex, health & relationships blog.
• Need some advice, quick? Ask Heather anything; she answers three q’s, daily!
• Bored? Take new quizzes and play gURL games!

WDYT of the vid?

JSYK, we’re part of the Alloy family (a.k.a. the people behind Gossip Girl, maybe you’ve heard of it?). Check out what our besties have been up to!

“Friday” by Rebecca Black has taken the Internet by storm. Listen now, if only to see what the (anti?) hype is all about.  [Teen]

She’s back! Peep this exclusive interview with Demi Lovato. [Alloy.com]

Lady Gaga once again rocks our world by making a fashion statement that helps the people of Japan. [GossipGirl.net]

Why are Elena and Katherine on The Vampire Diaries almost besties now? We’ve got a few ideas. [VampireDiaries.com]

Recap last week’s Pretty Little Liars‘s drama before tonight’s all new eppie. [PrettyLittleLiars.com]

Meet adorbs rocker gURL Darelle London and get ready to fall in some serious love. [ChannelOne.com]

more ways to get gURLy:

• Pearls of wisdom, survey q’s, polls, quotes to live by — it’s all on gURL.com’s Twitter. Follow us!
• Luv gURL? Then ‘Like’ us, too! Let’s be friends on Facebook and you’ll get first looks at stories!
• Can’t get enough of gURL.com? We don’t blame you. Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
• Let’s talk. Shout Out advice, music, politics, poetry, your style and MORE!
• Your hook on hooking up: gURL’s sex, health & relationships blog.
• Need some advice, quick? Ask Heather anything; she answers three q’s, daily!
• Bored? Take new quizzes and play gURL games!