'Sexting,' "...no big deal, really."

The title of this blog probably caught your attention.

Let me first explain what a "SEXT" is.

It's a sexually suggestive text message, could be a nude photo, some what nude photo, or erotic message. I'm sure you've heard of phone sex, like it but through texts and pictures sent a long with it.

"Well, all my friends do it, and a lot of people at school do it like maybe half of the kids in school do this, it's just common, no big deal really."

Those are the words of a 14 year old, that sends explicit photos of himself to others, and receives some in return.

Now, I read the article about a survey that one in five teens do it... YIKES!

So I went out to see if this was true, thinking no teenager would admit it and especially with their parent right there, but my first try, first parent and teenager I went up to, I got what I was looking for.

Not only is this illegal because they are underage, but aren't the kids concerned it will get on the web? On all those social-networking sites? Even in the hands of the mean girl at school that would send it to everyone and anyone? WHY RISK IT? There are enough bullying, and hurtful things going around about kids in schools these days, why be labeled as the "skank" or "slut" of the school?

Anyways, I think it's the job of the parent to keep their kids in check, and I do have to say, after hearing all this about "sexting," I am glad AISD will be charging kids a fee if they have their phones during class time, yeah you got it, it happens while they are in class too.


These Are My Confessions.

I have two younger brothers, one will be 15 years old this year--he doesn't have a cellphone :) the other does have one and will be 17 in July.

This scares me as a big sister, and if you are a parent, I'm sure you are feeling the same way!

But what can parents do to avoid this from happening? The mom I spoke with said she checks her son's phone every night. Then, he admits he deletes them "after he is done" with the picture, so you tell me, what else can we do?

OK, you might say take the phone away, that leaves, instant messaging, it leaves myspace, facebook, e-mailing, is there no way around technology?

Geez, I'm sorry but I think our parent's had it easier, although they say, "I had to do this and work this and walk 15 miles to school," I am 25, and when I have kids, I don't even want to know what I will have to deal with when they are of school age.

Until Next Time! :)


Links you might want to check out!

'Sexting' A Growing Problem In The Big Country

Survey: 1 in 5 teens 'sext' despite risks

Survey: Many teens use phones in class to text or cheat