My Question of the Day for 01 March 2010 – UPDATED
My Question of the Day: It seems that young people fail to realize what they do today can come back and haunt them in the future. That being the case, what (if anything) should be done about teenage “sexting” (sexting is “sexy” text messages that can include semi-nude or fully-nude photos with or without explicitly-written content)?
My 2 Cents: Anyone taking the attitude that “teens will be teens,” needs to get a firmer grip on reality when it comes to this latest “sexting” craze.
“Sexting” by those under the age of 18 is considered child pornography.
If/when teenagers are found to be in possession of and/or distributing images of themselves or others under the age of 18, they can be charged with a felony crime, and made to register as sex offenders if they are convicted.
You think I’m making this up?
Tell that to Phillip Alpert, who vengefully sent nude images of his then-16-year-old ex-girlfriend to “more than 70 people, including her parents, grandparents and teachers,” according to an article in “Nation & World.” At the age of 18, Alpert was convicted of sending child pornography, sentenced to five years probation and required to register as a sex offender. His childish prank will follow him for the rest of his life.
What about Jesse Logan whose life ended when she committed suicide after an ex-boyfriend sent naked images of her to other girls who taunted and harrassed her so badly that she didn’t want to go to school and decided living with the shame and humiliation of “sexting” wasn’t worth it?
Oh, yes. There are the one 14- and two 15-year-old girls in Greensburg, PA, who sent nude and semi-nude images of themselves with three males across their cell phones, which were confiscated when one of the students had her cell phone on during class and a teacher saw the content? The phones of all the teens were confiscated, and they were charged with possessing and distributing child pornography.
According to an article by Sharon Jayson of USA Today:
Most of those (teenagers) surveyed (73%) said they knew sending sexually suggestive content “can have serious negative consequences,” yet 22% said it’s “no big deal.”
If your child has a cell phone, or if your child is reaching the age where you’re considering getting him/her a cell phone, please don’t take ”sexting” lightly. It’s no joke.
Check out Is Your Teen “Sexting?” and Sex and Tech: What’s Really Going On for more information on this subject.
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Take a few moments to check out the tweets from Twitter on this subject:
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blacknthick it goes back to there. Up bringing no one wants you to discipline there child or correct them and most folks are trying are trying to be there child friend some don’t have any good examples to look up to in there household
JoshDamage there isn’t much to be done. In some states there are laws and awareness campaigns. Kids just gotta be smart.
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The commentary doesn’t have to end!
Please feel free to continue to add your comments below.
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I had this to happen recently. I wanted to report my child to juvenile deliquent (to teach her a lesson) but the pic was deleted so I did’t have proof…. I did the next best thing, 1. Gave her an old-fashioned whipping. 2. I took the cell phone. 3. I am monitoring her more.
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LikeDislikeI would talk to my child but also I would think that cell phone companies should issue cell phones that cater to child safety issues. I know a teen is going to pretty much not care either way and find a way to get past any security measures but I feel that it would make the process feel more wrong if they have to go out of their way to sext or worse send nude photos. I would definitely talk to them though to let them know that actions have consequences..and with internet age unfortunately viral ones
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LikeDislikeI wonder if experience is the best teacher. If I had to prevent a kid from doing it. I would point out all the celebrities who have done naked / sex pictures and how much they regret and say that they are embarrassed. Kids usually look up to their idols.
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LikeDislikeThere are some ways of SHOWING your child how bad things can get. My mom used to show me explains of people how had been hurt by being so sexually “vulgar” It is hard to get a child to understand that emotional hurt is totally different that physical pain. But when I started to see my friends get hurt after a guy made fun of something they had done (ex. make out) then NEVER talk to them again, that made me understand what my mom was talking about.
Teaching a child how to respect them self over attention “whore” is a hard thing to TELL a child, but SHOWING that will be a method that looks like it works.
Anything these days can leaked online, remember that Disney character's “personal” photos? Yikes.
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LikeDislikeThis is just another facet of parenting and teaching your kids about the world. If I have done my job, my kid isn't going to bother with this stuff. Parental controls are cool and all, but I would feel defeated if I needed to use them.
On the flip side, if your kid wants to talk dirty, they will find a way to do it. Cell phones are not the only way. Remember emails? Phone Calls? Hand-written letters?
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LikeDislikeThe same as we've always done, I think (since I don't have teens yet). Make sure they understand the consequences of their actions; be willing to listen; be willing to snoop; be open when possible so they know you ARE human and made your own mistakes. It's the same issue, different medium.
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LikeDislikethis, as always, has to fall primarily on the parents. I know very few children who can afford a cell phone, much less the bill. I have a family plan and carry a cell phone for my 12 yr old Godson. The amount of restrictions most major carriers let you apply are very efficient in avoiding curious teens from finding trouble – internet and downloads are blocked. He does text, however. And since that is today's question, here is how I handle it. I am able to monitor every text that is sent from his phone (by number, but he is 12 and only has so many people to text, it isn't hard to keep up with). It doesn't show me the actual message, but his phone itself does – if I ever do feel it necessary to check.
It's not necessary yet because he only text his other male friends and the texts are barely messages as they are (I'm more concerned about his spelling, but that's another topic). I do find it very easy to plant seeds, however, by pointing out some of the “bad choice” other teens have made, and the results that they were stuck with). He is a smart kid and very good at learning from other's mistakes, so I think he should be ok – but I will always keep track of what's going on. Not from a lack of trust, but from an abundance of love
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