Research published this month in the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics reports that the percentage of pre-teens and teens who have sent a sext has been increasing in recent years–which is not surprising since sexts happen much more over cell phones than other types of screens.
The research, which comes from 39 combined studies, shows that almost 15 percent of teens report having sent explicit images of themselves and just about a third of them receive them. The research also found that 12 percent of teens have forwarded a sext without consent.
Now that digital devices are a larger part of our teen’s activities, it’s not surprising to see them experimenting more with sexts than ever before. It is natural for them to seek attention and to be intrigued by bodies and sexuality. With all this exploratory sexual behavior, there are risks – and parents, like me, often find ourselves asking “What if?”
“What if their picture is shared without consent? What if their picture ends up in the wrong hands or the authorities find out?” These are questions we want our kids to ask themselves when presented with the decision to sext.
Sending naked pictures of children is considered child pornography. It is illegal, even when the photos are sent with consent. Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher who examines digital behaviors, points out, however, that emphasizing the legal consequences to kids may not be the most effective strategy to prevent sexting. "Most kids have friends who have sexted but legal consequences are so rare that it's likely this will strike them as a scare tactic. Instead, parents can emphasize that kids who send these photos often regret it, feeling scared, depressed or even traumatized. That's more likely to ring a bell and feel truthful to them."
For younger teens, let them know that they should never send naked pictures of themselves. For older kids, help them understand the consequences of such behavior. Here are some questions to help the conversation get started.
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
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Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Register your interest in bringing our new movie to your school or community
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Register your interest in bringing our new movie to your school or community
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Research published this month in the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics reports that the percentage of pre-teens and teens who have sent a sext has been increasing in recent years–which is not surprising since sexts happen much more over cell phones than other types of screens.
The research, which comes from 39 combined studies, shows that almost 15 percent of teens report having sent explicit images of themselves and just about a third of them receive them. The research also found that 12 percent of teens have forwarded a sext without consent.
Now that digital devices are a larger part of our teen’s activities, it’s not surprising to see them experimenting more with sexts than ever before. It is natural for them to seek attention and to be intrigued by bodies and sexuality. With all this exploratory sexual behavior, there are risks – and parents, like me, often find ourselves asking “What if?”
“What if their picture is shared without consent? What if their picture ends up in the wrong hands or the authorities find out?” These are questions we want our kids to ask themselves when presented with the decision to sext.
Sending naked pictures of children is considered child pornography. It is illegal, even when the photos are sent with consent. Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher who examines digital behaviors, points out, however, that emphasizing the legal consequences to kids may not be the most effective strategy to prevent sexting. "Most kids have friends who have sexted but legal consequences are so rare that it's likely this will strike them as a scare tactic. Instead, parents can emphasize that kids who send these photos often regret it, feeling scared, depressed or even traumatized. That's more likely to ring a bell and feel truthful to them."
For younger teens, let them know that they should never send naked pictures of themselves. For older kids, help them understand the consequences of such behavior. Here are some questions to help the conversation get started.
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
FIND EVENT LISTINGS
Do you organize professional development in schools? We now have a 6-hour, 3-part training module. Request more information here Professional Development.
Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.
Sign up here to receive the weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays newsletter from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD.
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Research published this month in the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics reports that the percentage of pre-teens and teens who have sent a sext has been increasing in recent years–which is not surprising since sexts happen much more over cell phones than other types of screens.
The research, which comes from 39 combined studies, shows that almost 15 percent of teens report having sent explicit images of themselves and just about a third of them receive them. The research also found that 12 percent of teens have forwarded a sext without consent.
Now that digital devices are a larger part of our teen’s activities, it’s not surprising to see them experimenting more with sexts than ever before. It is natural for them to seek attention and to be intrigued by bodies and sexuality. With all this exploratory sexual behavior, there are risks – and parents, like me, often find ourselves asking “What if?”
“What if their picture is shared without consent? What if their picture ends up in the wrong hands or the authorities find out?” These are questions we want our kids to ask themselves when presented with the decision to sext.
Sending naked pictures of children is considered child pornography. It is illegal, even when the photos are sent with consent. Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher who examines digital behaviors, points out, however, that emphasizing the legal consequences to kids may not be the most effective strategy to prevent sexting. "Most kids have friends who have sexted but legal consequences are so rare that it's likely this will strike them as a scare tactic. Instead, parents can emphasize that kids who send these photos often regret it, feeling scared, depressed or even traumatized. That's more likely to ring a bell and feel truthful to them."
For younger teens, let them know that they should never send naked pictures of themselves. For older kids, help them understand the consequences of such behavior. Here are some questions to help the conversation get started.
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
FIND EVENT LISTINGS
Do you organize professional development in schools? We now have a 6-hour, 3-part training module. Request more information here Professional Development.
Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.
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An Oakland library has started lending out sports equipment and games alongside books, so families can borrow gear to use at nearby parks. It is a reminder that borrowing and lending between families is a simple way to fill a summer afternoon without a screen, while quietly modelling generosity and humility. We are out of practice at asking, but the person on the other end is usually glad to help.
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READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
