Many youth believe that anything that they want to do with their bodies and their phones is their business. Youth enjoy the privacy and freedom that cell phones give them from their parents or guardians. But when they use that freedom and their cell phones to explore their budding sexuality, it’s easy to understand why 1 in 5 teens (13-19) reported having sent a sexually suggestive image or message.
However, when youth engage in sexting, the sending or posting of nude or partially nude images of minors, the law takes a very different view. Help your children avoid the potential life consequences of sexting by learning more about the issue and talking to your children before they put themselves in a compromising position.
Three months ago a 13-year-old hanged herself, after relentless taunting at her school. She had sent a nude photo of herself to a boy she liked, and another girl used his phone to send the picture to other students, who forwarded it along.
I have to say, this is really scary stuff on a first look basis – education and horror stories should start helping to reduce the problem.