Cell Phones and Sexting
Cyberbullies
Cell phones make it easy for children to talk with their friends, but they also make them vulnerable to cyberbullying. Cell phones can be used at anytime and anywhere, giving cyberbullies unlimited access to their victims. Children may send and receive mean-spirited phone calls, texts, and picture messages at any hour.
Enabling Predators
Predators know and take advantage of the fact that cell phones let them talk with their victims at anytime. They are aware that parents and guardians often forget to monitor children’s cell phones. While some predators ask children for their cell phone numbers after meeting them online, there have been some cases where predators try to connect with willing children by sending texts to random numbers.
Enabling Sexting
“Sexting” is a term used to describe the sending of sexually explicit text or picture messages of minors by minors. What most young people do not realize is that the production, possession and distribution of explicit photos of minors, even if they are self-produced, may be illegal. Furthermore, it is easy for these explicit photos to end up on the Internet. Children risk embarrassment and could jeopardize scholastic, athletic and employment opportunities, even if the pictures were taken many years ago. They can still come up in a Google search or be passed around by others.
Tips For Safe Cell Phone Use and Preventing Sexting
Discussion Starters
Most of this content is originally from netsmartz.org.
Cell phones make it easy for children to talk with their friends, but they also make them vulnerable to cyberbullying. Cell phones can be used at anytime and anywhere, giving cyberbullies unlimited access to their victims. Children may send and receive mean-spirited phone calls, texts, and picture messages at any hour.
Enabling Predators
Predators know and take advantage of the fact that cell phones let them talk with their victims at anytime. They are aware that parents and guardians often forget to monitor children’s cell phones. While some predators ask children for their cell phone numbers after meeting them online, there have been some cases where predators try to connect with willing children by sending texts to random numbers.
Enabling Sexting
“Sexting” is a term used to describe the sending of sexually explicit text or picture messages of minors by minors. What most young people do not realize is that the production, possession and distribution of explicit photos of minors, even if they are self-produced, may be illegal. Furthermore, it is easy for these explicit photos to end up on the Internet. Children risk embarrassment and could jeopardize scholastic, athletic and employment opportunities, even if the pictures were taken many years ago. They can still come up in a Google search or be passed around by others.
Tips For Safe Cell Phone Use and Preventing Sexting
- When shopping for a cell phone for your child, research the security settings that are available
- Before buying your child a cell phone, set rules for its use, including what sort of information and images are appropriate to share via text.
- Know what safeguards are available on your child’s phone, such as turning off and/or blocking texting and picture features.
- Review cell phone records for any unknown numbers and late night phone calls and texts.
- Teach your child never to reveal cell phone numbers or passwords online.
- Remind your child that texting is viral. anything sent in a text can be easily forwarded and shared.
- Talk to your child about the possible consequences of sending sexually explicit or provocative images or text messages.
- Talk to your child about the possible social, academic, and legal consequences of sexting. They could face humiliation, lose educational opportunities, and get in trouble with the law.
- Encourage your child to not be a bystander or an instigator. If he or she receives a “sext,” discuss why it is important that he or she not forward the image to anyone else.
- Remind your child that they can talk to you if they receive a nude picture on their cell phone.
- Talk to your child’s school about its policies on cell phones, cyberbullying, and sexting.
Discussion Starters
- What features do you use on your cell phone? Could you show me how to use them?
- Have you ever sent a text that was rude or mean?
- How many numbers do you have stored in your phone? Do you know them all in person?
- Has anyone ever taken an embarrassing picture of you without your permission?
- Have you ever taken an embarrassing picture of someone else? What did you do with it?
- Have you ever talked with someone you first met online on your cell phone?
- What would you do if someone sent you a text or picture that was inappropriate?
Most of this content is originally from netsmartz.org.
