The increasing technology of cell phones has created even more potential danger for your kids.
Do you know Vanessa Hudgens? She’s a young American actress who starred in the High School Musical series whom many young kids idolize.
In September 2007 some of Hudgens’ photos were leaked online for the world to see. I say “leaked” because these were photos of Hudgens in the nude.
I’m not sure (and I don’t know if anyone is), but Hudgens may have sent these naked photos of herself through picture mail accompanied by a text message. Who knows…nothing is for certain in the entertainment industry.
I tell you this because this could happen to your children – especially teens and tweens who use cell phones more regularly.
It’s called “sexting,” when someone sends a sexually suggestive photo of themselves through cell phones. An alternative to sex? Some kids think so.
But although the kids aren’t actually having intercourse, there are still harms in sexting.
Here’s why…
Your kids’ photos could end up on the phones and computers of people with bad intentions, and reputations could be shattered.
Dr. Marilyn Maxwell, a professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, offers 5 tips to talking with your kids about the dangers and repercussions of sexting and inappropriate Internet use.
- Be cool, be hip, be young.
In other words, educate yourself on the many social networking sites that your kids use, like Facebook and Twitter. Learn to send text messages. You’ll have a better understanding of what kids these days are doing. - Talk to your kids about appropriate versus inappropriate text message content.
Maxwell says you can read their text messages, but be careful when it comes to invading your kids’ privacies. - If your kids are being bullied online or on the phone, talk to them about it.
Bullying can be a consequence of sharing suggestive pictures. - Talk to your kids frequently about cell phone and Internet use.
- Know your kids’ friends and their parents. Cell phones and Internet use make it almost impossible for you to know who your kids are talking to, so be welcoming.
What do you do to become a part of your kids’ social lives? Have any of these tips helped you help your kids?
Pediatrician Offers Tips for Talking to Kids about Sexting, Internet Use [Health.Am]
