One of the problems with being a boy in the throes of puberty is the need to belong. Although you may have the coolest friends and like them dearly, odds are that you all have an unwritten contract that you are trying to become the popular kids, and are willing to do almost whatever it takes to do so, and the popular kids know this. Because of this you need to be aware of your potential for being scammed, and that you are an easy target.
The simplest scam is for an older kid to ask you to do something for him as a favor. Usually this is something minor, such as grabbing something or delivering a message, and that should be considered fine. You're at an age where you are basically a slave to others, but it works out in the end. This is the price of being popular; you need to put in some time as the person at the bottom of the pile and now is that time. Just remember how much it sucked to be at someone's beck and call, and be nice to the kid you boss around.
However, try not to be too abused. You will be asked to do a lot of stuff, and it's bound to be humiliating, of debatable legality, and of even more debatable morality. There is no way to write a one-size-fits-all guide as not all situations were created equal, so I can't quite give the advice you may need. There are some situations that may be literally life or death while others may simply be an inconvenience; you need to make your decision based on the amount of potential fall out.
It's easy to say "avoid situations that you don't feel comfortable in and tell an adult", but the reality is that you are the one making decisions and there are variables that cannot be allowed for. If you can follow that advice, do so; otherwise, try to make sure that you are not abused too much. If you can establish a friendship with an older kid or adult that can get you out of trouble, or is willing to come and get you any time, no questions asked. You should be able to set something up with a parent or older sibling. You need some sort of person you can trust in an emergency, so develop that relationship if you need to do so.
Popularity can a beast. You need to decide what you are willing to do for it on a daily basis and that's likely to change. Be aware that we have all been there, and there are some decisions we would have wished had gone another way. Keep that in mind when you are asking for help; it may give you the guts to ask for the very help you need. Sure, you may get teased a little but it is the price of being rescued, and odds are good you'll need to be rescued multiple times in your adolescence.
The simplest scam is for an older kid to ask you to do something for him as a favor. Usually this is something minor, such as grabbing something or delivering a message, and that should be considered fine. You're at an age where you are basically a slave to others, but it works out in the end. This is the price of being popular; you need to put in some time as the person at the bottom of the pile and now is that time. Just remember how much it sucked to be at someone's beck and call, and be nice to the kid you boss around.
However, try not to be too abused. You will be asked to do a lot of stuff, and it's bound to be humiliating, of debatable legality, and of even more debatable morality. There is no way to write a one-size-fits-all guide as not all situations were created equal, so I can't quite give the advice you may need. There are some situations that may be literally life or death while others may simply be an inconvenience; you need to make your decision based on the amount of potential fall out.
It's easy to say "avoid situations that you don't feel comfortable in and tell an adult", but the reality is that you are the one making decisions and there are variables that cannot be allowed for. If you can follow that advice, do so; otherwise, try to make sure that you are not abused too much. If you can establish a friendship with an older kid or adult that can get you out of trouble, or is willing to come and get you any time, no questions asked. You should be able to set something up with a parent or older sibling. You need some sort of person you can trust in an emergency, so develop that relationship if you need to do so.
Popularity can a beast. You need to decide what you are willing to do for it on a daily basis and that's likely to change. Be aware that we have all been there, and there are some decisions we would have wished had gone another way. Keep that in mind when you are asking for help; it may give you the guts to ask for the very help you need. Sure, you may get teased a little but it is the price of being rescued, and odds are good you'll need to be rescued multiple times in your adolescence.
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