How+It+Works



You have something to say and The Alien Lounge is where you get a chance to say it! If you are not sure where to begin, check out our Hot Topics! link for a sampling of discussions on what is hot in the current media, or check out our Today's Question, where users are polled for their opinions on a specific topic important to them. These discussions will help you hit the ground running and prepare you for delving into our Discussion Pages. Within these pages are a number of topics and hot debate questions eagerly waiting for a response from teens like you.

Each page has its own Discussion Tab, and you can share your advice, stories, and/or opinions on as many as you wish. There is no limit to your opinions. But first, you have some options:

1. **Browse Around**: Check out the topics in our Alien Lounge menu to the left of your screen (descriptions can also be read below). Once you have found a topic, question, and/or query that you have an opinion on, you can either select the "//Share Your Opinion//" or "//Join the Discussion//," link to jump right to the discussion to post your response, or select the "//Discussion//" Tab at the top of your screen to see all the discussions in process on that topic's page.

2. **Jump to a Topic**: Know something you are already passionate about within our Discussion Pages? Select the link and start sharing (our Discussion Topics are described below).

3. **Reply to a Discussion Response**: In addition to being able to share your advise, opinions, and stories, you can also respond to others' opinions and promote collaboration and reinforce their ideas and/or share with them your unique perspective.

4. **Recommend a Discussion Topic**: Have an idea for a discussion or a topic that you don't see on The Alien Lounge? Email alienlounge@kidthrive.org with your idea and we'll get right on it! You can also start a new discussion be selecting the "+//New Post//" button on the upper left hand corner of the discussion page.

5. **Wanna Keep Track of a Discussion:** Select the "//Notify Me//" tab to get updates on conversations you have participated in. Who knows, your opinions and advice could really help another teen out there!


 * The Alien Lounge is made up of multiple pages based on key topics.**
 * These topics are:**

**My Life** - focusing on what is important in teens' lives NOW and stories and advice from those who are living it. **Relationships** - focusing on the many relationships teens encounter on a daily basis, including family, peers, teachers, and the opposite sex. **Bullying** - focusing on prevention and the types of bullying and how to handle each. **Health** - focusing on teen health, including body image, mental health, pregnancy and STDs. **Technology** - focusing on how to use technology responsibly, but also the latest creations and networking solutions. **Teen Culture** - focusing on everything from sports to movie, from fashion to the latest online viral sensation. **Teen Giving** - focusing on teen philanthropy and giving back to the community. **LGBTQ Teens** - focusing on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual and questioning teen issues.


 * General Discussions:**

**Hot Topics!** - discussion blasts of the latest in the news on just about every topic you can imagine. **YouthTude Debates** - featuring Vlogs (or video blogs) about the pros and cons of issues - where do you stand on the debate? **Today's Question** - one major question is posed with opposing views - what is your opinion? **Ask TAL** - ask The Alien Lounge (TAL) community your questions and get/give advice on what is important to you.

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