The Mom Column

What is sexting?  According to Wikipedia, sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between mobile phones.

Sexting is a very common thing in the teen world.  Teens do not think much of this thinking it is harmless fun.  Kids today have grown up with a much different view on privacy than previous generations.  Everything is out there for everyone to see.  We see this with Facebook, My Space, and other social networking sites.  Take notice next time you are on one of these sites of how many teenagers have their sites open.  Unfortunately they do not see the seriousness of being an open book.

These images are being spread around schools.  Just think about how fast one image can be sent right through a school and beyond, it only takes minutes.  That image is there to stay.  It will be there when they apply for colleges, for their first interview, and for all of life's other important moments.  It will never be deleted.

Sadly, these images can be used in malicious ways.  Last year the Today Show aired a story about a 17-year-old teenager who committed suicide after an image she sent to her boyfriend was forwarded on to other girls.  These girls taunted her calling her names like slut and whore.  Read more about this store here.

There was a story recently in Illinois about a 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl who sexted each other images of themselves naked.  Both of them were charged with child exploitation and and child pornography.  If these charges go through, both of these children could be required to register as sex offenders.

Last April an 18-year-old teenager sent a naked image of his then 16-year-old girlfriend she had given him to her friends and family after they had an argument.  He was charged with sending child pornography and is now registered as a sex offender next to the same people who have raped and molested kids.

Don't think your teen is texting?  According to PC's N Dreams here are the statistics:

• 20% of teenagers overall
• 22% of teen girls
• 18% of teen boys
• 11% of young teen girls ages 13-16

• 39% of all teenagers
• 37% of teen girls
• 40% of teen boys

Teenagers and parents need to start taking this more seriously.  Teens need to be taught the consequences. Parents need to talk to their kids and schools need to provide more real life education about this.  Parents should also be monitoring their kid's cell phone usage.  This is a real part of life now and it is time we face it and deal with it.

UPDATE:  Ann Curry talks with momlogic.com about sexting and how kids and parents think nothing of it or parents don't realize kids are sexting.  See this here.