HOW TO TALK WITH YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE RISKS

Here are a few suggested warnings for your kids:

1.  Images have a life of their own

In this digital age, information is far less secure and more fluid than it once was.  Example:  Your daughter may trust her boyfriend with her photos but he, in turn, might trust a close friend who may think it would be fun to share them.  Or she may have an enemy who, once in the loop, could go for maximum destruction.  Or the phone may end up in someone else's hands - like the school principal.  These are all scenarios that have played out in cases so damaging to your lives that they hit the news.

2.  Sexting could result in a criminal record

It is illegal to distribute child pornography, and someone who's underage can be charged with distributing child pornography, even if she is disseminating photos of herself.  So can the boyfriend or girlfriend who shares the pictures with someone else.  Remind your children there are laws that govern their actions and they may face serious consequences if they are caught.  It's happened to other kids.

3.  Dignity is worth protecting

Remind your child that s/he cares about how the world sees them.  While they might think they control their own sense of dignity and privacy, sexting takes that control out of their hands.  They may think it's parental paranoia for you to say that wayward pictures can come back to bite them, but you can offer real scenarios:  What if they came up during a job interview or when they are in future relationships?

4.  Think before you act

Finally, ask your child to think carefully about what they share with others.  It's up to them to make good decisions for themselves; but, as their parent, and someone on their side, it's your job to try to help them avoid mistakes that could cause them serious misery.  Sexting is one of those things that, done casually, can have very painful consequences.

NEVER send out pictures of themselves either dressed or undressed to anyone online.  Because you do not know who is actually asking for them.