Everybody has secrets. Not everyone can keep them, though. You know there are certain friends you trust with your secrets and others who will tell the whole school as soon as you’ve finished talking. Likewise, which type of friend are you? 

 

Sometimes secrets can be huge loads to carry. Here’s our guide as to when it’s okay to keep quiet about your friend’s confession, and when you should tell and who.

 

Scenario 1

 

Your mate tells you she used to wet the bed when she was little or something else really embarrassing. 

 

Is it ok to tell? No! If the two of you were telling each other your embarrassing moments, keep it to yourself. If you blab her story, people will only react cruelly by calling her names and you can kiss your friendship goodbye!

 

Scenario 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             What if your mate tells everyone your secret? 

 

Is it ok to tell?  No. Much as you really want to dish out her dirt in return, doing so will only lower you to her level. Instead, talk to your friend and tell her how she made you feel and that you don’t trust her anymore. Hopefully, she’ll understand her wrongdoing.

 

Scenario 3

 

You catch your mate cheating in an exam. 

 

Is it ok to tell? Don’t immediately run to a teacher. Talk to your friend first. Tell her that next time, if she needs help on a test, she can study with you. Explain that getting caught cheating on a test can carry serious consequences, like failing the class!

 

If you catch your friend stealing answers again, speak to your teacher privately. Explain that you think certain students are cheating. You don’t have to name names.

 

Scenario 4

 

Your mate confides in you that someone is hurting her or she’s hurting herself. 

 

Is it ok to tell?  Take this secret seriously. Whether someone at home is abusing her or she has a problem with drugs or alcohol, your friend needs help. This secret, if kept, can have terrible consequences. First, offer your friend help in finding a counsellor or talking to her parents. If she refuses your help and seems to get worse, confide in an adult. She might be upset at first, but in the end, with proper help, she’ll see that you were helping her.