Why Sexting is Dangerous for Your Teenagers and What You Can Do about It

Adolescents live in a world where hormones are on overdrive. You may have been there once during your high school days. Yesterday's harmless note-passing has now taken a new function and form – through sexting. Mobile phones are so easy to use that people often neglect the consequences of misusing its features.

Sexting is a form of exchanging sexual messages through texts using mobile phones. Teenagers with access to smartphones can even send provocative or nude photos as well. It is a problem that exists in almost every part of the globe. At this day and age where everything can be documented, one wrong move can last forever. There is much more at stake than a victim's embarrassment or regret.

Most teenagers don't have the maturity yet to realize the potential dangers that come with exchanging dirty messages and photos. A little bit of parental control over your child's smartphone can prevent them from sexting. It has features that can dictate which phones your child can send messages to or call.

Establishing certain cellphone rules may also help provide additional measures for your kids' safety. An app called iKeyMonitor spy app can monitor their phone activities once it is enabled. It also provides options to filter and block sexual content. This remarkable app will surely spare your teenagers from the grave consequences of sexting. It sure is wonderful to be alive at a time where technology is used to protect the people you love and care for.

Opt for a cellphone without picture messaging and internet capabilities. You can provide them with a more advanced gadget when they reach a more responsible age. Most phone companies can be contacted to request the discontinuation of certain services. Most importantly, make sure that you try to reach out to your children and have a talk with them about sex. It is almost impossible to completely restrict your children with internet access because you are not with them all the time.

The dangers of sexting should serve as a warning for parents to level up their monitoring game. This can save your children from facing serious criminal charges and humiliation that can have a huge impact in their lives. Teenagers should be educated on how valuable one's reputation is. Once you put something out there, you cannot just take it back. They should not be totally deprived of their right to text or socialize as long as they avoid inappropriate stuff.

At least 80% of sexting cases are only classified as misdemeanors and not felonies. The goal is to get to the bottom of the problem and not identify teenagers as sex offenders right away. Parents need to take certain precautions to prevent their kids from committing these offenses. The consequences of sexting can be damaging to one's mental and emotional health.

Most national surveys reveal that 1 out of 5 teens are involved in different kinds of sexting activities. This is a kind of activity that most children will not admit that they're participating into. It is quite disturbing because the number of “sexters” seems to be growing. It is an occurring phenomenon that targets younger children especially those who have access to technologies such as smartphones. Teenagers can still be trusted with such gadgets as long as they are also provided with the education that goes with it.

Taking nude photos creates and manufactures child pornography. The person seeing and receiving such photos is subject to child pornography which is illegal. The good news is that there are practical things that parents can do to prevent such lascivious acts. First, they need to be more involved in their children's lives.