Does your tween or younger child have a phone? Then you probably should be worried about them using their phone for sexting.
Most parents would probably be pretty skeptical and doubt that their seemingly innocent child could even know what the word sexting means, let alone do it.
However, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Learn more about sexting and how it can affect your child if she is doing it, and what you can do to prevent it — before it’s too late!
Some parents may be skeptical that their kid might be sexting.
What is sexting?
Sexting is when you exchange sexually explicit text or images through mobile picture messages, the Internet or with the use of a webcam. Young people also call it cybersex or a nudie.
How common is sexting?
A survey done in the US by the Pediatrics Journal (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics) proves that kids as young as 12 are involved in sexting.
According to the survey 22% of a total of 410 7th grade students (12- to 14-year-olds) surveyed, had participated in sexting. 17% had only sent texts and the remaining 5% had sent texts and pictures.
Ok, let’s take a step back.
We grew up in a time where selfies, Facebook, cyber bullying and sexting didn’t exist. Mobile phones were not considered as “cool” as they are now and the chances of any of us getting our own mobile phone back then were pretty slim anyway.
Kids and parents need to understand that sexting can have devastating repercussions.
Needless to say, so much has changed in the last 20 years and, at times, it is scary how technologically savvy our kids are. If you hand them a tablet or an iPad they seem to automatically know how it works.
Digital technology is great. It is the future and it is wonderful that our kids are just wired to know how to use it.
But, like everything else, if it’s not used responsibly and is in the wrong hands, technology can be disastrous.
What’s wrong with sexting?
If you catch your child sexting and they throw this question at you, here’s what you need to explain to them.
Well, for starters, it is illegal — especially when a picture is sent and said picture features a young child.
It is also important to know that pictures that are shared via the Internet, posted on social media and sent through text messages are permanent and can be shared with a limitless number of people.
Girls are not the only ones who fall victim to sending their pictures to others. Boys should also be careful about to whom they choose to send their pictures.
Once these pictures are shared, the receiver, the person in the picture and the sender could potentially face cyber bullying and receive unwanted attention.
As a result, it could cause tremendous emotional distress to these kids and their families.
Even if you are certain your child is not sexting, show him or her this short video as a precaution about sharing detrimental pictures with others.
How can you prevent your child from sexting?
Be upfront about rules when handing them a phone
If you have made the decision to give your child their own phone, list down all the rules and explain each and every one to them.
It’s always good to keep an eye on your child’s phone usage.
Always monitor phone usage
As part of your ‘rules,’ it might be a good idea to state that you will constantly be checking on their phone usage.
This includes monitoring their messages, photo galleries, Internet usage and friend lists on social networks. Extend this to any other devices they use, like tablets and laptops.
Set up controls
You can set controls where only you can download apps. If your child needs an app you’ve not heard about, do your research online about it and go through the details of it with him or her.
Set limitations on the pictures they take. Innocent selfies that are shared with close friends are often harmless.
Explain to them about sexting
As previously stated, it is a wise idea to talk to your child about sexting and its dangers, even if he or she may not be doing it.
Set limitations on pictures taken
A firm rule needs to be in place about what kind of pictures your kids can and cannot take or share. Tell them that it is absolutely not ok to share nude or semi-nude pictures, even if it is with someone they trust.
Extend this rule to pictures taken on their laptops or tablets and shared or posted on social media.
Limitations on phone usage
Think about keeping your child’s phone with you at the times they are home and do not need to use it – especially at night time. You can use this time to monitor the phone or check for ‘red flag’ messages.
Make sure your young child, tween or teen knows how to say ‘no’ to strangers’ demands for pictures and friend requests.
Talk to your child about ‘friending’ strangers
‘Friending’ is when you add new contacts to your social media accounts as friends. Tell your child that they can only ‘friend’ people they know and that they are not allowed to add strangers – especially those who use flattery to get added as a friend.
Make sure they are comfortable saying ‘no’
Explain to your child that their body is private, and that they can be direct and say no to anyone who requests for pictures of it.
Tell them that you are open to talking anytime
Make sure your child knows that you can help them out in any situation and that you should be the first person they should come to if they need help.
Reassure them that you will always try and understand them, and that you will support them no matter what.
Read on to learn more about some of the resources that you can use to help your child understand the implications of sexting.
Be open to talking to your child about anything and everything. Addressing a topic like sexting even before it happens is a good idea.
Here are some resources to help you deal with this subject, especially when it comes to discussing a topic like sexting with your child.
www.thatsnotcool.com gives some great tips on how to handle phones and other devices in a responsible manner. You can check this site out together with your child.
It also shows kids how they can say no to anyone who requests for their picture.
If your very young child uses a phone, keep an eye on the pictures they take.
Here’s another good video done by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), about the consequences of sharing images. It is a bit lengthy but drives home the message very clearly.
So parents, we’d like to know — Had you heard of the term sexting before you read this article? Have you had to talk about it with your kids before? Share your experiences and thoughts with us by leaving a comment below.
References:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/help-and-advice/for-parents/talking-about-sex/sexting/sexting_wda96795.html
https://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2014/02/parentstalking-to-kids-about-sexting/