What is Sexting?
A "Parents with a Purpose" e-tip

SEXting:
truth and reality of
our technical age

Just like anything technologically related, texting has both good and bad sides.

However, some teenagers are abusing their texting priviledges by engaging in a practice known as sexting. Sexting is the pratice of sending erotic messages or photos via text message.

Ensure that your child knows the danger of these messages and pictures ending up in the wrong hands and injuring their reputation or future.

Take Action by:

• Get More Involved
  
  • Ask questions - what they beleive sexting is?
  • Is it going on with their friends or at their school?
  • Have they taken any photos of themselves that they would be embarassed if you saw them?
• Become Proactive
  
  • Google search your teen's full name with quotes around their name. For example: "Nick Smith".
  • Search your teen's cell phone number on the internet.
  • Download Google Desktop to your computer.
• Talk with your Teen
  
  • If anything is found out through your research, then discuss it with them and inform them how this could be devastating to them now and in the years to come
• Check out Your Options!
  
  • A parent could replace their child's phone with a non-camera phone. This takes the possibility of a problem out of their hands altogether.
  • Check your cell phone provider on what parental controls they offer with your service. (Sprint, Sanyo & T-Mobile have free parental controls; AT&T has "Wireless Smart")