What Every Parent Needs to Know About Sexting

Parents Guide to Sexting

This guide is based on our conversation with Stacey Dewitt, the head of Connect with Kids. Dewitt is a nationally known expert on kids and teen issues.

1. Parents need to give their child a Code of Ethics when it comes to cellphone use. Parents should tell their children that the same standards and ethics that apply within the family apply to using this technology.

Dewitt says you can tell your child "If you're going to use the technology, here's what the standards are, here's what the ethics are in our family...no sexting and no posting pictures that you wouldn't show somebody else. I always say that if you wouldn't show it to me or say it to me, your mother, don't do it online, and for goodness sake, don't do it on a cellphone."

2. Parents should take away their child's cell phone at a certain time every night and turn it off. The phone is returned in the morning.

3. Parents should physically inspect their child's cell phone at random times, looking in the cell phone's memory, text messaging 'inbox' and 'sent' folders, where risky messages and images could be found.

4. Remind your child that cellphones are not private. Tell your child if they want privacy to have a conversation in person or on the phone, don't do it through texting or photos that could have lasting consequences.

5. Dewitt says, "If children will follow two rules they'll keep themselves pretty safe. The first one is if you won't say or show it to mom and dad, don't put it on a cellphone or a computer. The second one is if you get something that feels weird, most people have an internal radar that says 'ick'... if you get that feeling, you run, and tell and adult."

Extra Information for Parents

From Atlanta Moms Like Me, a couple of list of acronyms parents should know. (Warning -- some of the acronyms and terms are sexually graphic in nature.)

• Top 50 Internet Acronyms Parents Need to Know
• What Is Sexting?

Lastly, some service providers can limit what can be sent and received via text messaging. Parents can also disable the text messaging or buy a phone without a camera, however this is NOT something Stacey Dewitt recommends. She says children will find a way to use the technology, even if it means using a friends phone or going to someone's house and getting on their computer. Her advice is to establish the code of conduct, which gives children the opportunity to be responsible.