Today on The View, the hot topic was “sexting” and the consequences that go along with the popular teen pastime that is now becoming as popular as watching porn using TubeV or similar pornographic pages. Sexting is where sexually explicit images and/or sexual verbiage are exchanged via text messages using cell phones.
Teens don’t realize that there are severe consequences to this behavior that can ultimately alter ones life forever. The View had two teens that told their story about what happened after they participated in “sexting”.
One teen is now a registered sex offender because of a picture he distributed of an ex girlfriend that was under age. Distributing the picture was considered, by the law, to be the same as distributing child pornography! I feel that the judgment was too harsh, but also feel that he should be punished somehow. The guy can’t get a job and has that persona to have to deal with for the rest of his life. Truly sad.
The other teen was a female that sent a male ex boyfriend a picture of her chest standing between to of her fully clothed friends because he told her if she did that he would get back together with her. Now, she is harassed on a daily basis because of her mistake.
The message here…educate your tweens, teens and even children on the dangers of sending nude pictures of themselves at all. It’s important that we build self confidence in our children and give them attention. It’s also important that we are aware of what are children are doing, who they are doing it with and where they are. They also need to be taught that their bodies are sacred things that shouldn’t be exploited.
I have 3 girls and would be very upset if I found out they were involved in something like this. That’s why it is important that I am on top of things with them as a parent and why I need to open the gateways of conversation often.
I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.
