Teens and Technology By Rose Jordan
A
Rose Jordan and son Dakota
few weeks ago my son informed me that a boy he knew was now a registered sex offender. After I recovered from the shock, I asked him what he was ttalking about. It seems the young boy (13) used his ccell phone to send a girl a photo of his nude genitalia. The girl then forwarded on to many, many more. I was d dumbfounded. The boy was charged and convicted with d distribution of child pornography. Apparently I’ve been on another planet because tthis kind of thing has been all over the news. Sexting, aas it is now referred to, has even been the subject of a rrecent poll by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy (NCPTUP). Take a look at ssome of their findings: • 20% of teens say they have sent/posted nude or seminude photos or videos of themselves • 39% say they have sent sexually suggestive text messages • Most of the explicit images and messages were sent to a boyfriend/girlfriend, but some were sent in hopes of soliciting a date or to meet someone online • Many teens who receive the images and messages are sharing them with other people I don’t know about you, but I’m a little more than cconcerned about the lack of inhibitions in our children. Technology has completely changed the way teens T relate. Communicating behind the veil of a screen has
given teens, in fact everyone,, the audacity to do and say y things they would never do in person. As bad as that can be, it also increases provocative and impulsive behaviors in real life. With cell phones and internet being used as the major means of communication oon n ttoday, od daay y, it is clear that we must address this issue with our kids. These behaviors aren’t just shameful, they are a crime. Prosecutors have charged the senders, receivers, and forwarders of the sexual photos and messages with the same crime: CHILD PORNOGRAPHY! Note, receiving an “uninvited” sexual photo/message isn’t a crime, but failing to delete it is. Here are a few recommendations from the NCPTUP: • Know who your kids are communicating with • Talk openly about online and cell phone activity and make sure they understand that NONE of it is truly private or anonymous • Check your teen’s public online profi les such as Facebook and Myspace. For more tips and information from NCPTUP, visit www.thenationalcampaign.org. ■
Sharing the roads and supporting the families and youth of Parker County since 1985. www.parkercountykids.com
Inspiring Parents! Motivating Kids! Celebrating Life! 15