Images have a life of their own
- Information is far less secure and more accessible in the current digital environment. For instance, your child may trust their boyfriend with a photo, but he, in turn, might trust a close friend who may think it would be fun to share them. Images may end up in the hands of many other children or adults.
Sexting could result in a criminal record
- It is illegal to distribute child pornography, and someone underage can be charged with distributing child pornography, even if they are disseminating a photo of themselves. So can anyone who shares the pictures with someone else. Remind your children they may face serious consequences. It has happened to other kids.
Dignity & privacy are worth protecting
- Remind your child that they care about how the world sees them. Sexting can take away your child’s control over their privacy, and once an image has been distributed, it is impossible to take it back. Encourage your child to refrain from sexting to ensure they remain in control of their privacy.
Think before you act
- Ask your child to think carefully about what they share with others. Sexting is one of those things that, done casually, can have very painful consequences.