Sexting is becoming more popular. Experts say that it is the parents responsibility to educate their children and let them know about the dangers which can range from damage to their reputation to possible charges for the possession or even distribution of child pornography. Watch the video and see how serious this issue is. Watch the video and read the article we found on NBC26.com.
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Green Bay, WI – It’s a shocking trend that’s much more popular than you might think. More than 30 percent of young people are “sexting”, sending nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves through text message. And all too often, those pictures end up in the wrong hands.
For many, texting is a quick and easy form of communication. But the same technology making our lives easier, comes with a dark side.
“So much of our culture is sexually-oriented,” said Thomas Thomas, a sexual addiction therapist in Green Bay. “My youngest sex addict is 7 years old, and my oldest is as old as most people live.”
These days, Thomas says more and more teens are sexting. In fact, statistics show that one in ten teens have sent a naked image of themselves through text message. Thomas says it’s something that particularly affects young women.
“Their bodies are important to them,” explained Thomas. “There’s a great emphasis on them. And they believe that if somebody will see my body – particularly another male – that they will be more liked, they will be more popular… and forget that once it’s out there, it’s out there.”
Lizzy Van Krey, a student at Kimberly High School, says her friend learned that lesson the hard way.
“From a friend’s experience, she did make that wrong decision. Her boyfriend, who she thought she could trust, ended up showing those pictures to his friends,” said Van Krey.
In some cases, sexting can turn into a criminal charge. Thomas says he knows one couple who experienced just that.
“He was 19. The girl was 16,” said Thomas. “They were sexting and got into an argument. He showed her picture to other people on the internet. The parents got mad, pursued that… and now, the 19-year-old is listed as a pedophile.”
Van Krey and her friend, Sam Kilsdonk, say they know better. Now, they’re warning other teens about the dangers associated with sexting.
“It can easily get around to other people,” said Kilsdonk. “It’s a quick little text message away. We talk about sending so many text messages a month. That text message that you send to a guy or a girl that’s inappropriate can easily get sent out.”
“It’s fast. It’s an easy way to do it, and people don’t really think about that when they’re sending the pictures,” Van Krey said.
The teens say many who are in a relationship feel that sexting is something that’s expected.
“It is something that people believe they should do to show affection or show that they care,” said Van Krey.
Thomas says it has a lot to do with negative self-image.
“You don’t have to do sexting,” said Thomas. “You don’t have to have a value system that’s degrading to you just to be popular.”
When it comes to preventing sexting, Thomas says much of the responsibility falls on the parent.
“We have to take charge and be in control of what our children are doing,” he said.
Thomas says it’s important to build a trust system with your teen, and communicate with them about the things that can be difficult to talk about.
“Communicate with your child. Trust your child,” said Thomas. “If we keep that communication open, it just alleviates a lot of hurtful, painful situations for our young people.”
