"The Misuse of Digital Images, also known as 'Sexting.'"
What Parents Should Know
- What is sexting: the act of sending a nude or semi-nude image via cell phone.
- Teenage sexting is not limited to just a cell phone but often can include images sent online through e-mail or other electronic methods
- In 5 teens has sent some sort of electronic image of themselves nude or semi-nude. [1]
The Statistics
- More teenage girls then teenage boys have sent such an image, but the numbers of close. [2]
- 39% of teens have sent or posted a sexually suggestive message. [3]
- Teen boys are ahead of teen girls in sending or posting sexually suggestive messages. [4]
- Who is are teens "sexting"?
- Most "sexts" are sent to a current boyfriend or girlfriend. [5]
But
- 21% of have sent such an image to someone they would like to "hook up" with (or date) [6]
- A minority of teens whose parents pay for their cell phones have sent sexually suggestive text messages (3%) [7]
- Teens are likely more likely to "sext" if they have unlimited data plans. 19% of teens with unlimited data plans have sent sexually suggestive texts, compared to the 8% that have limited text messages. [8]
- 8% of 17-year-olds have sent sexually provocative images and 30% have received sexually suggestive images. [9]
Tips for Parents
- Talk with your teen and encourage an open dialogue; let them know if they have sent sexually suggestive images of themselves in the past they won't be in trouble.
- Limit text usage not by viewing your teen's phone but through the number of texts they are allotted a month.
- When having "the talk" with your teen include a part about sexting.
- Stay informed with current online trends by talking with your teen about what they are doing online.
- If your teen has received a sexually suggestive photo either on the phone or in an e-mail, contact an official and help your teen to take steps not to receive any more images:
- Do not forward it.
- Let the sender know it is not acceptable and your teen does not wish to receive any photos like this.
- After consulting with the proper officials delete the image.
- Most importantly, just talk with your teen about the dangers of sexting or sending sexually suggestive images online.
What Teens Should Know
- Once a digital image is out there, it's nearly impossible to "erase" It's easy for anyone to forward on. People who you don't even know may see it, and people who you know, but never wanted to see it may also end up seeing it.
Tips for Teens [10]
- If you would be embarrassed if an adult (think, your grandma), saw your photo then don't send it!
- If you receive a sexually suggestive image:
- Notify a trusted adult immediately.
- Take steps to let the sender know you do not want to receive those images.
- Delete the image as soon as you can.
- Do not forward it on.
- Talk with your parents about what you are doing online; open communication with the parents will help you.
- For the girls: guys may end up respecting you more if you don't send an image.
- For the guys: girls are going to think you are a creeper if you ask for them to send an image.
[1] The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy & Cosmogirl.com, Sex and Tech: Results from a Survey of Teens and Young Adults, December 10, 2008. Available at www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech/ (last accessed September 13, 2010).
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Amana Lenhart, Teens and Sexting: How and why minor teens are sending sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images via text messaging, December 15, 2009. Available at www.pewinternet.org.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] NetSmartz.org, a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
