Teens and Sexting

Sexting, if you haven't heard of it, its sending sexual images and/or text messages via your cell phone. Kids are doing it all over the country. CNN reported on a case today in which a 13 yr old boy and some classmates face child pornography charges because one of them took pictures of his partially nude girlfriend and and sent them to his friends via his cell phone. Now, is that worthy of a dissemination of child pornography charge. No, but it is an indication of bigger problems with teens and cell phones.

The sad part of the story, and you can see it by clicking on the link above, is that the father says that he doesn't check on his sons activities on his cell phone after implying that he does monitor his online activities (more on this later). He defends his position by saying his son is 13, a good kid, and its a cell phone and that he wants everyone to remember that his son is 13, and to remember what it was like when you were 13. He doesn't get it, and is trying to minimize the fact that he isn't doing what he should regarding his kids cell phone usage.

Well, I do remember what it was like and I tried to get away with anything I could when they weren't checking up on me. My friends were the same way. With that in mind, why would he check on his kids activities online but not on the phone. You can do the same things on a cell phone that you can on a computer. That is why kids are getting away from the computers, they know its harder for people to check up on them.

Take the time to talk with your kids about their activities on their cell phones. Establish rules for using the cell phone and check up on them. Write up a cell phone usage agreement. Click here for one you can print out and discuss with your kids.

These kids should not be charged with child pornography, but I don't feel bad that they and their families have to go experience what they are going through. I am sure there will rules in the house after this and hopefully many more parents can learn from this experience.