PRACTICING SAFE TEXT

“Sexting” (sending sexually explicit messages or photographs from a cell phone) is not nearly as common as some may have believed. In fact, national surveys suggest that only 3 to 7 percent of teens are sending or receiving sexually graphic message or images. 

 

Reading this statistic, I was relieved but also a bit skeptical because telling the truth is not the first virtue that comes to mind when considering teens. However, it’s not important what I believe. The fact is, sexting is out there and has become part of today’s technically advanced world. So, parents need to understand the implications, collect information and be prepared to give advice about what to do if their child sends or receives a sexting image.

We would all like to believe that our kids are too naïve or too intelligent to get involved in such tawdry business, but the fact is, many, smart, well-educated and worldly people have participated in, and felt the repercussions of sexting. Just ask former U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner or former Texas Congressman Joe Barton.

There can be serious legal implications. Anyone, including minors, who take nude or sexually implicit photos of themselves or someone else underage can be charged with producing or distributing child pornography. 

To be perfectly safe, kids should never take images of themselves that they wouldn’t want everyone – including classmates, teachers and their family to see. This does not only apply to cell phones, but any media-sharing device. Also, if your child receives a sext message, they should not send it to anyone or delete it. They should tell you or another trusted adult.

People aren’t always who they seem to be in cyberspace or in real life. And, relationships change over time so advise your kids to consider that when they press “send” they cannot control where their message may go. In other words, what they send to a boyfriend or girlfriend could easily end up with other friends, complete strangers, and potentially dangerous people.

All that being said, cell phones are not the devil’s handy work. In the event of an emergency, having a cell phone allows your child to contact you, the police or the fire department immediately.  You can also contact your child if there is a family emergency. Also, many phones are now equipped with GPS which will allow you to track your child’s phone, and hence, your child.

If you are not familiar with textonyms (acronyms used in text messaging) spend time with your son or daughter and ask them to show you how to decipher text message basics. Understanding sexting and discussing this dangerous trend is the first preventative step. 

Ronald Reagan adopted an old Russian proverb when discussing US relations with Russia – “Trust, but verify.” This may be the tactic you’ll want to employ when determining the relationships between your child and his cyber-safety.

Contact Margaret Lavin at elementarydays@gmail.com.