A recent survey of 1,280 teens and young adults cosponsored by CosmoGirl.com clearly shows that teens are (or at least think they are) aware of the risks involved with “sexting” (sex plus texting).It’s a contemporary version of “you show me yours, I’ll show you mine.” Honestly, kids have always been curious about what’s under the other kids’ pants, skirts, or tops. But what might have been harmless peeping among youngsters in the past can cause big problems today.
The Cold, Hard Legal Facts
Across the country, teens are being arrested and charged with manufacturing, disseminating or possessing child pornography, as well as possessing criminal tools, and the illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material. If convicted, these children may have to register as sexual offenders for at least 10 years. Yes, it’s illegal even when the child being exploited is the one doing the exploiting.
Lifelong Damage Caused by Sexting
Beyond the legal risks are social and career ramifications according to Gigi Stone’s ABC World News article “‘Sexting Teens Can Go Too Far.” National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy director Marisa Nightingale says, “It's crucial parents talk to their children about potential consequences, because . . . compromising photos could easily come back to haunt the teens when they go to apply for college or their first job.”
- Kaplan, Inc., an education services company, polled admissions officers, who confirmed that they visit social-networking sites to evaluate seniors.
- Careerbuilder.com notes that one in five employers investigates job candidates online. The Internet was at one time a haven for anonymity. Search engines like Google and social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace have put an end to that; personal information posted online becomes public with the click of a mouse.
Schools are attempting to educate their students about the potential risks of sexting. Unfortunately, young people don’t take the warnings seriously. The adage about teens believing they are invincible fits here: while they acknowledge risks exist, some simply don’t imagine anything happening to them.
- In comments following articles on sexting, naive teens avow “complete trust in my boyfriend/girlfriend,” displaying an unwarranted confidence that recipients won’t share the images or messages. There are even teens who believe that they are simply displaying a healthy body image.
- Teens believe that “everyone is doing it,” when in fact, the survey shows that only 20% have sent nude or semi-nude photos and 39% have sent sexually suggestive messages. Unfortunately, those who refrain from joining their peers are the silent majority.
Tackling the Problem of Sexting
Schools must educate students about the serious risks and consequences of sexting. Parents need to supervise usage and set limits and expectations of appropriate behavior on cell phones. But perhaps the strongest message can come from within the ranks. Everybody doesn’t do it – and those who don’t need to encourage their peers not to be naïve and not to give in to pressure or whim.
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