Resource # 1
Title: Talking about "Sexting"
Source: Common Sense Media
Brief Description: Provides definition and examples of sexting, why sexting matters, advice for parents, and a video summarizing key points of this article.
Review: Provides clear understanding of what sexting is, (i.e., the sending of sexually revealing pictures or sexually explicit messages via text message) and an understanding of ramifications when this content is shared broadly across the Internet. Sending sexual images to minors is against the law, and some states have begun prosecuting kids for child pornography or felony obscenity. This article provides an excellent summary and key points for parents in talking with kids about 'sexting.
Key Benefits:
1) Article provides brief and effective video of key issues with sexting.
2) Provides excellent advice for parents in talking with kids about sexting including:
- Don’t wait for an incident to happen to your child or your child’s friend before you talk about the consequences of sexting.
- Remind your kids that once an image is sent, it can never be retrieved -- and they will lose control of it.
- Talk about pressures to send revealing photos. Let kids know that no matter how big the social pressure is, the potential social humiliation can be hundreds of times worse.
- Teach your children that the buck stops with them. If someone sends them a photo, they should delete it immediately; if they were to send it on, they're distributing pornography and that’s against the law.
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Resource # 2
Title: Sexting
Source: NetSmartz411 (search "Library" for answers on sexting)
Brief Description: Provides detailed definition and consequences of sexting from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and summary of what parents and kids need to know. Offers summary statistics on the incidence of sexting, as well as steps for protecting children's online reputations.
Review: This article is somewhat dated but provides practical information, especially for parents in talking with kids about sexting and their reputations online.
Key Benefits: Article offers statistics on incidence of sexting including that 1 in 5 teens have engaged in sexting and over one-third know of a friend who has sent or received a sext message. While over half of teens surveyed think that adults overreact about sexting, almost all teens surveyed think it is dangerous to sext including those who had engaged in it.
This article emphasizes the negative consequences of sexting and details steps for parents in talking with their kids and to protect their online reputations.
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Resource #3
Title: Tips to Prevent Sexting
Source: Connect Safely
Brief Description: Single-page article that defines sexting and provides specific advice to both parents and teens about issues of sexting.
Review: This is the most concise summary reviewed regarding 'sexting' and provides practical advice to both parents and kids.
Key Benefits:
1) Reminds parents and kids that sexting is illegal
2) Discusses the nonlegal consequences of sexting with emphasis on emotional impact and kids' reputations
3) Explains that sexting can be done on any media-sharing device or technology - including email and the Web. Teens have been convicted for child porn distribution for emailing sexually explicit photos to each other.
4) Provides specific tips for parents and kids in talking about sexting and what to do if
children are involved in sexting
For a printout of this article, here's PDF version.
