The Truth About Sexting

Sexting is the craze and the age group indulging in it keeps getting younger by the day. With technology as their partner-in-progress, It appears unlikely to stick to the same mode, and what you should do about it.

Examples:

1. You always feel so good inside of me.

2. You make me so wet.

3. I’ve never felt as attracted to anyone else.

4.The anticipation of going down on you is killing me.

5. I can’t get enough of you.

6. Your thick, long and dark shaft pinches me long after...

While parents deny it, it is found that about 15 per cent of teens send sexts whereas twice this number receive them, reports a Canadian review. The study involved 110,000 teens aged between 12 and 17 and covered a long time period (1990-2016). The result found that the number has been increasing each year with older teenagers sexting more than their younger ones.

Dating apps are a major source of such behavior. Why just teenagers? Even lower grade students are drawn to the allure of appearing intelligent. Technology is enabling instant communication. While age is not a barrier, teens and adolescents are more likely to engage in sexting.

Teen sexting may not be the worldwide epidemic that parents have been warned about. Unfortunately, despite education efforts and cautionary tales, it is still fairly common. While figures vary, it is estimated that one out of every four teenagers receives sexually explicit messages and emails. At least one in every seven adolescent sends "sexts." What inspires them to do so? Perhaps it is done to attract or demonstrate interest in someone - for example, to act as an adult. Kids' growing interest in sex, their desire to explore, and the availability of sexting apps create an environment that some teens find seductive.

In a technological society where everything can be copied, transmitted, uploaded, and viewed by large audiences, there is no such thing as information management. Even if a picture was taken and given as a gift of affection, for example, technology allows everyone to see your child's most private self. When explicit images in the hands of teenagers become public, the sexter almost always feels embarrassed. Furthermore, sending sexual photos to minors is against the law, and several jurisdictions have begun prosecuting children for child pornography or criminal obscenity.

Several high-profile sexting incidents have occurred. Australia's cricket captain, Tim Paine, was forced to resign in November 2021 due to sexting. In 2018, a sexting scandal engulfed a large number of Virginia middle school students. In 2015, a sexting scandal involving hundreds of students rocked a Colorado high school. Jesse Logan, a high school student from Cincinnati, committed suicide in 2009 after a naked picture she sent to her boyfriend was widely shared throughout her high school, resulting in abuse from her peers.

Thankfully, networks with large young audiences, such as MTV, are using their platforms to educate children about the dangers of sexting. Another website, ThatsNotCool.com, uses adolescent jargon to assist people in avoiding virtual peer pressure. Even the film Eighth Grade depicts the anxiety that young people feel when they are pressured to conform. Perhaps these messages will be heard.

Parents should be aware of the following:

Don't wait for an incident with your child or a child's friend to bring up the dangers of sexting. Sure, talking about sex or dating with teenagers can be awkward, but it's better to have the conversation before something bad happens.

Remind your children that once a picture is transmitted, it cannot be recovered and they will no longer have possession of it. Inquire with teenagers about their reactions if their teachers, parents, or the entire school saw the photo, as this happens all the time.

Discuss peer pressure to release intimate images. Many teenagers are sexually harassed online by their classmates, according to a Michigan State University study. Tell teenagers that you understand how they may feel pushed to send anything. Tell them that regardless of how much social pressure they are under, the possibility of social disgrace is hundreds of times greater.

Teach your children that they are solely responsible for their actions. They are ultimately responsible. If they get a photo, they should delete it right away. It is preferable to contribute to the solution rather than the problem.