Research published this month in the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics reports that the percentage of pre-teens and teens who have sent a sext has been increasing in recent years–which is not surprising since sexts happen much more over cell phones than other types of screens.
The research, which comes from 39 combined studies, shows that almost 15 percent of teens report having sent explicit images of themselves and just about a third of them receive them. The research also found that 12 percent of teens have forwarded a sext without consent.
Now that digital devices are a larger part of our teen’s activities, it’s not surprising to see them experimenting more with sexts than ever before. It is natural for them to seek attention and to be intrigued by bodies and sexuality. With all this exploratory sexual behavior, there are risks – and parents, like me, often find ourselves asking “What if?”
“What if their picture is shared without consent? What if their picture ends up in the wrong hands or the authorities find out?” These are questions we want our kids to ask themselves when presented with the decision to sext.
Sending naked pictures of children is considered child pornography. It is illegal, even when the photos are sent with consent. Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher who examines digital behaviors, points out, however, that emphasizing the legal consequences to kids may not be the most effective strategy to prevent sexting. "Most kids have friends who have sexted but legal consequences are so rare that it's likely this will strike them as a scare tactic. Instead, parents can emphasize that kids who send these photos often regret it, feeling scared, depressed or even traumatized. That's more likely to ring a bell and feel truthful to them."
For younger teens, let them know that they should never send naked pictures of themselves. For older kids, help them understand the consequences of such behavior. Here are some questions to help the conversation get started.
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
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Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
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Research published this month in the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics reports that the percentage of pre-teens and teens who have sent a sext has been increasing in recent years–which is not surprising since sexts happen much more over cell phones than other types of screens.
The research, which comes from 39 combined studies, shows that almost 15 percent of teens report having sent explicit images of themselves and just about a third of them receive them. The research also found that 12 percent of teens have forwarded a sext without consent.
Now that digital devices are a larger part of our teen’s activities, it’s not surprising to see them experimenting more with sexts than ever before. It is natural for them to seek attention and to be intrigued by bodies and sexuality. With all this exploratory sexual behavior, there are risks – and parents, like me, often find ourselves asking “What if?”
“What if their picture is shared without consent? What if their picture ends up in the wrong hands or the authorities find out?” These are questions we want our kids to ask themselves when presented with the decision to sext.
Sending naked pictures of children is considered child pornography. It is illegal, even when the photos are sent with consent. Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher who examines digital behaviors, points out, however, that emphasizing the legal consequences to kids may not be the most effective strategy to prevent sexting. "Most kids have friends who have sexted but legal consequences are so rare that it's likely this will strike them as a scare tactic. Instead, parents can emphasize that kids who send these photos often regret it, feeling scared, depressed or even traumatized. That's more likely to ring a bell and feel truthful to them."
For younger teens, let them know that they should never send naked pictures of themselves. For older kids, help them understand the consequences of such behavior. Here are some questions to help the conversation get started.
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
FIND EVENT LISTINGS
Do you organize professional development in schools? We now have a 6-hour, 3-part training module. Request more information here Professional Development.
Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.
Sign up here to receive the weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays newsletter from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD.
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Research published this month in the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics reports that the percentage of pre-teens and teens who have sent a sext has been increasing in recent years–which is not surprising since sexts happen much more over cell phones than other types of screens.
The research, which comes from 39 combined studies, shows that almost 15 percent of teens report having sent explicit images of themselves and just about a third of them receive them. The research also found that 12 percent of teens have forwarded a sext without consent.
Now that digital devices are a larger part of our teen’s activities, it’s not surprising to see them experimenting more with sexts than ever before. It is natural for them to seek attention and to be intrigued by bodies and sexuality. With all this exploratory sexual behavior, there are risks – and parents, like me, often find ourselves asking “What if?”
“What if their picture is shared without consent? What if their picture ends up in the wrong hands or the authorities find out?” These are questions we want our kids to ask themselves when presented with the decision to sext.
Sending naked pictures of children is considered child pornography. It is illegal, even when the photos are sent with consent. Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a researcher who examines digital behaviors, points out, however, that emphasizing the legal consequences to kids may not be the most effective strategy to prevent sexting. "Most kids have friends who have sexted but legal consequences are so rare that it's likely this will strike them as a scare tactic. Instead, parents can emphasize that kids who send these photos often regret it, feeling scared, depressed or even traumatized. That's more likely to ring a bell and feel truthful to them."
For younger teens, let them know that they should never send naked pictures of themselves. For older kids, help them understand the consequences of such behavior. Here are some questions to help the conversation get started.
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
FIND EVENT LISTINGS
Do you organize professional development in schools? We now have a 6-hour, 3-part training module. Request more information here Professional Development.
Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.
A new Louis Theroux documentary on Netflix exposes the growing network of online influencers pushing sexism, misogyny, and a narrow vision of masculinity on boys and young men. Combined with last year's hit series Adolescence, it is a wake-up call for parents. The good news: there is a lot we can do. This week, I round up our most relevant blogs and podcast episodes from recent months, covering everything from the "interrupter" technique to boys' mental health, phones in schools, online sports betting, pornography, and the manosphere's exploitation of boys' loneliness. The research is clear that parents who show up with curiosity, honesty, and consistency have more influence than they realize.
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When kids struggle with big emotions, many parents reach for a screen to keep the peace — but this can get in the way of children developing real coping skills. Drawing on research from Dr. Jenny Radesky, this post shares two practical strategies: using the Zones of Regulation color system to help kids name and process their feelings, and doing a toy swap with another parent to build your "vulnerable village" of support. Both approaches turn difficult screen-time moments into opportunities for emotional growth.
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When teens say they hate you, it often feels personal, but it may not truly be about you. Teens sometimes direct their overwhelming feelings toward the safest person in their life. Instead of responding with logic or backing down out of fear, check that your limits are fair, practice self-compassion, and focus on validation rather than correction. If conflict feels stuck, family counseling can help both sides feel heard and understood.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
