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Teens are spending increased amounts of time on their cell phones and sending increased amounts of text messages. According to Nielsen Mobile, about 80% of teens 13-17 and 93% of adults 18-24 use cell phones. A new trend, called “sexting” on cell phones is becoming a problem among teens. “Sexting” is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos between mobile phones. Are your teens using their phone to send inappropriate sex messages?..continues below
According to USA Today, a third of teen boys and 40% of young men say they have seen nude or risqué images sent to someone else whereas about a quarter of teen girls and young adult women have. Thirty-nine percent of teens and 59% of those ages 20-26 say they have sent suggestive text messages.
Photos and racy messages are generally meant for a significant other, but often get shared. Sharing nude or semi-nude photos is especially common after a break-up. According to an MTV and Associated Press poll, 17 percent of those who had received naked images had forwarded them to someone else. Teens often do not realize that this can have serious consequences. There are emotional and oftentimes legal repercussions for sexting.
Two stories were recently in the media linking teen suicides to sexting. A middle school student sent nude pics of herself to a guy she liked that later were forwarded to her whole school. The social and psychological ramifications led to her taking her own life. Sadly, a similar situation ensued when an 18-year-old sent nude photos to her boyfriend that ended up not for his eyes only.
Parents, monitor your children’s texting and be conscious of what your teens could be exposed to. Stay involved and talk with your children to prevent them from making a mistake. The results of sexting can ruin reputations, cause emotional scarring and get your teen in trouble with the law.
