Four Things to Tell Your Niece or Nephew About Sexting
Child Mind Institute
It’s far too easy for kids to assume that private online communication stays private. It feels intimate, and sharing intimate details is one way we build close relationships with friends and love interests, which is part of the developmental work of adolescence.
But teenagers should also know that any private exchange of words or photos online could potentially be shared with the whole school, not to mention the rest of the world. Challenging as it might be, it's important to talk to your nieces and nephews about the dangers of sharing provocative pictures or messages. After all, teens may be more open with their aunt than with their mom or dad.
Here is what to tell your niece or nephew about sexting:
1. Images have a life of their own
In this digital age, information is far less secure and more fluid than it once was. Example: Your niece may trust her boyfriend with her photos, but he, in turn, might trust a close friend who thinks it would be fun to share them. Or she may have an enemy who, once in the loop, could go for maximum destruction. Or the phone may end up in someone else's hands—like the school principal. These are all scenarios that have played out in cases so damaging to young lives, that they made the news.
2. Sexting could result in a criminal record
It is illegal to distribute child pornography, and someone who is underage can still be charged with distributing it, even if she is disseminating photos of herself. So can the boyfriend or girlfriend who shares the pictures with someone else. Remind your children there are laws that govern their actions and they may face serious consequences if they are caught. It's happened to other kids.
3. Dignity is worth protecting
Remind your nephew that he cares about how the world sees him. While he might think he controls his own sense of dignity and privacy, sexting takes that control out of his hands. He may think it's paranoid for you to say that wayward pictures can come back to bite him, but you can offer real scenarios: What if they came up during a job interview or when he's in future relationships?
4. Think before you act
Finally, ask your niece or nephew to think carefully about what he or she shares with others. It's up to them to make good decisions for themselves, but as an aunt and someone on their side, it's your job to try to help them avoid mistakes that could cause serious misery. Sexting is one of those decisions that seem casual, but can have very painful consequences.
Photo: yoyental via Flickr cc
Published: October 1, 2014