The Facts About Sexting: What Parents Need to Know

THE FACTS ABOUT SEXTING:  WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

Recently, several parents asked if our school could provide information about cyberbullying.  Our amazing FFO Executive Board has weighed in and agreed that we need to bring back NOT MY KID, a presentation for parents, students and staff in 2nd semester.   This article is the first in a series.  I want to focus on the practice of sexting, a disturbing, damaging and potentially illegal practice. Sexting can result in embarrassment,  harassment and heartache for its victims.  It is often an impulsive act.  Here's what the current literature is saying:

WHAT IS SEXTING?

We have heard many stories about sexting among adolescents in the media.  The term "sexting" found its way into the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary in 2012.  The definition of sexting is "the sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cell phone."

STATISTICS: this is a list of Sexting Teenage Statistics from studies done by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, The Pew Internet & American Life Project and the Cox Communications Teen Online & Wireless Safety Survey.

Percent of teens who have sent or posted nude or semi-nude photos or videos of themselves:

• 20% of teens overall

• 22% of teen girls

• 18% of teen boys

• 11% of young teen girls between the ages 13-16

Percent of teens that sent sexually suggestive messages via text, email or instant messaging:

• 39% of all teens

• 37% of teen girls

• 40% of teen boys

• 48% of teens say they have received such messages

Other Statistics:

• 71% of teen girls and 67% of teen boys who have sent or posted sexually suggestive content say they have sent/posted this content to a boyfriend/girlfriend.

• 75% of teens say sending sexually suggestive content “can have serious negative consequences."

• 66% of teen girls and 60% of teen boys say they did so to be “fun or flirtatious”— their most common reason for sending sexy content.

• 44% of both teen girls and teen boys say they sent sexually suggestive messages or images in response to such content they received.

• 40% of teen girls said they sent sexually suggestive messages or images as “a joke.”

What to do if your child receives an inappropriate text message or photo:

MAKE SURE:  to never forward, copy, transmit, download, store, transfer, or share an inappropriate image in any way with a non-law enforcement individual. 

Copyright © 2009 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. All rights reserved.

Preventing Sexting Among Teens: How to Talk to Your Child About This Serious Issue (here are some conversation starters):

THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES… of taking, sending, or forwarding explicit texts or photos of someone underage (that includes photos of yourself).  You could get face school disciplinary consequences, humiliation, and potentially get in trouble with the law. 

NEVER TAKE images of yourself that you wouldn’t want everyone—your classmates, your teachers, your family, etc—to see.

BEFORE HITTING SEND…remember that you can’t control where this image may travel. What you send to classmates could easily end up with their friends, and their friends, and their friends.  In other words, strangers will have your image!

REPORT…any inappropriate pictures or messages you receive on your cell phone to an adult you trust. Do not delete or forward the message. Instead, get your parents or guardians, teachers, and school counselors involved immediately.  This could also be a police matter. Forwarding explicit images of minors is a crime.   

Next article:  Dealing with cyberbullying that happens when your child is at home vs at school.  STAY TUNED!

Self-harming behaviors: What Parents Need to Know About Cutting

Understanding Self-Harming Behaviors in Middle School

Caryl Altman, MS, School Counseling , RTC

ECMS 6^th & 7^th grade Counselor

Adolescence is that very unique time of life when predictable, complacent children begin to morph into independence-seeking, mood fluctuating, curious young teens. Middle school children experience rapid growth and changes affecting all areas of their lives, including cognitive, academic, social and physical and emotional.  We all have experienced these changes.  However, today’s young teens are challenged with a higher level of expectations in the 21st Century. 

Middle school is an exciting time; however, it can also be a stressful time.  As school counselor for 20+ years, I have seen first hand how stress adversely impacts our children.  Some will seek out adults for help; others will keep silent and find their own way to get relief from stress and emotional pain.  Unfortunately, some teens will engage in self-harm, which comes in many forms.  The most common type of self-injury is cutting.

Why Would A Young Person Do This?

As parents, cutting behavior can be both frightening and difficult to understand.  Teens who cut are usually seeking relief from pressure, anger, shame, relationship issues, etc.  These children may need to develop positive coping skills in order to handle difficult life issues.  Without such skills, they may feel overwhelmed and out of control.  Teens who cut are often seeking a way to deal with feelings and to be “in control.”

Who Cuts?

Self-injury is more common in females, but it also happens with males.  Teens and young adults are the primary group who hurt themselves as a means of coping with emotions.  Cutting behaviors happen across the board and are not specific to socio-economic status or ethnic group.

What Parents Can Do

Usually, teens who cut seek to hide the cutting behavior.  They guard their emotions carefully.  They cover their cuts (never baring their arms or legs, not wanting to wear a bathing suit, etc).  In other words, cutting can go on for a long time without someone noting that injury is present.

Once the cutting behavior is discovered, there are ways for you to help your child.

* First, be aware of your own emotions.  You may experience feelings of shock,  guilt, anger, fear, or sadness.  These feelings are natural and understandable. 

*Educate yourself about cutting.  Knowledge is power and will give you the tools to help your child towards healing and resolving his/her issues. 

* Talk to your child.  As painful as this can be, it’s imperative that you speak with your child and let him/her know you are aware of the cutting.  Follow that up with expressing your love and concern as well as your intentions to help and support him/her unconditionally. 

* Be there for your child.  Listen to him/her and help problem solve difficult situations. Encourage the child to talk about everyday experiences and put feelings, needs, and disappointments into words.

* Spend quality time together doing fun, relaxing activities, or simply hang out together.

* Be aware of how you handle stress and daily pressures.  Be willing to make changes in your own behaviors if you are quick to anger or self-critical.

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*Seek professional help.  Therapy can assist you and your child in dealing with the hurt and as well as developing coping skills.  It is very important to find a therapist with whom your child feels comfortable.  In addition, your child’s pediatrician can be invaluable.  School counselors are good resources in finding help for you and your child.

The most important thing you can do for your child is to be patient.  Healing takes time, love and support. With encouragement and patience, your child can stop cutting and grow into a healthy, happy person. 

References:

Kidshealth.org

Mental Health Association of Arizona

WebMD

A great website from the UK on cutting and self-harming behaviors

http://www.lifesigns.org.uk/siad/

Further questions:  email Ms. Caryl Altman at caltman@cfsd16.org