One of the various online dangers that can affect our children’s development is sexting. Sexting means sending or receiving explicit (nude, sexual) images, and videos through texts.
Teenagers belong to the group with a high prevalence of sexting. It’s even a habit among teens to use sexting in their mutual communication.
But sexting is not a joke. Children’s exposure to explicit content makes them vulnerable to behavioral changes and risks exposing themselves to online predators.
Parents must be alert and talk with their children about sexting, its risks, and how it impacts their well-being.
The Risks of Sexting
According to JAMA Network, sexual texting has become more prevalent over the past few years. So, let’s discuss the risks of it.
Legal Consequences of Sexting
In most countries, it’s illegal for underage children to sext. Also, it is illegal for people of legal age to sext with a minor.
Psychological Risks of Sexting
Sexual texting negatively affects children’s mental health development. Children can manifest sleeping disorders, social anxiety, and compulsive sexual behaviors.
Emotional Risks of Sexting
Children included in sexual texting isolate themselves, withdraw and show emotional changes. They begin to feel constant shame, mixed with sadness and sometimes even fear of being caught.
Social Risks of Sexting
If your children’s sexts get shared with other peers, they might become laughingstocks and feel humiliated.
How to Talk to Your Child About Sexting
Sexting is not something that parents or caregivers should ignore. You must educate your children on the risks of sexting, how it affects their health, and its consequences.
Inform your children that sharing explicit photos and texts isn’t something they should be proud of. Set clear rules and boundaries about how your children should behave online and remind them to respect themselves.
Trusty relationships between you and your children can encourage them to inform you if they’ve sent or received a sext.
How to React If Your Child Is Involved in a Sexting Incident
But what if your child is involved in a sexual texting incident despite your parental prevention measures?
Knowing that can make you angry, disappointed, frustrated, and panicked. But, that is not the solution. Instead, follow these steps.
Firstly, stay calm and try to find out what happened. Don’t immediately punish your child. Instead, first, try to stop the sexts or images from circulating.
Check if your child has been sexting with another minor or with an adult. If you see that your child has been sexually texting with an adult, report it to the authorities.
Block and report any profiles that share your child’s texts or pictures. Ask your child if there are groups where sexts and explicit images are shared.
If you get information about such groups, report them to the authorities. And don’t forget to be a supportive parent, help your child overcome the situation, and include professional treatment if needed.
Legal Considerations
Sexual texting, especially with a minor, is strictly regulated by laws. Many US states have even deemed sexting between two minors illegal.
And the penalty for people that sext with minors can reach up to five years in the slammer. If you find out that your child has been sexting with someone older, contact legal professionals that will help you take the case to court.
Technology and Sexting
As the name says (sexting=sex+texting), sexual texting can’t be done without tech devices. Children may sext through social media apps or online websites. That’s why parents should monitor children’s online activity.
You can use parental control apps, such as Qustodio, mSpy, Norton Family, and others, to see who your children text with and the content of their messages.
But the problem is that social media normalizes sexual texting, so addressing it to your children might be a bit tough.
Nonetheless, you must keep an eye on what your children text with others and control their online behavior.
How to Prevent Your Child From Sexting
The key to protection is early prevention (that sounded like a demonstration motto). Introduce your children to the risks of sexting.
Organize the school and community to raise awareness regarding the matter, and educate children about the dangers of sexting.
Moreover, empower your teenagers to resist sexual texting pressure and support them as every parent should.
Tell your teenagers that nobody should tell them what to do. Instead, they should listen to their brain and rationally make their decisions.
Conclusion
Sexual texting might seem fun and new for your teenager, but it can come with many dangers. Teenagers can get exposed to psychological trauma, ruin their social life, and encounter dangerous individuals like online predators.
That’s why parents must engage in open and honest communication with their teenagers, highlighting the risks of sexting.
Even though the talks may be embarrassing for your children, you must pull through because their health and safety is the most precious thing in the world.
FAQs
What should I do if I find out my child has been sexting?
Sexting is not something that we parents are prepared to face. That’s why it’s important to be calm and collected. Patiently discuss the situation with your child. Find out the reason why your child sent those texts. Report the account your child has been sexting with. Contact the authorities if the account is an adult. If your child has been sexting with a friend, contact the friend’s parents. Lastly, try to stop the circulation of those texts and images.
Can sexting lead to legal consequences for my child?
Yes, most countries have deemed sexting between minors illegal.
How can I prevent my child from engaging in sexting?
Having an open conversation with your child, explaining the risks, and setting strict rules can be good prevention from sexting.
How can I help my child if they or someone they know has been a victim of sexting?
Stay calm and talk to your child. If the person that sexted your child is a friend, immediately inform the school or parents to take measures. If the person that sexted your child is an adult, contact the police. Emotionally support your child to overcome the problem and resort to professional therapy help if needed.
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