“Sexting” refers to sending messages, usually through a smart phone, which contain explicit sexual material or photographs.  Sexting might sound fun, but there are many insidious ways in which the recipient and/or sender of a sexting message could land in serious trouble with parents, friends, strangers, the police, or all of the above! 

 

Often young people who send sext messages trust the recipient not to copy or share these messages, but you should never give the recipient such power over you!  Once you send an embarrassing photo or message, it’s out of your control!  Even trusted friends sometimes forward sext messages, which makes the whole situation much worse. 

​

Sometimes an unsuspecting teen or minor can be both the victim of catfishing and be duped into sexting.  See the page on catfishing to be aware of this threat.

 

Lastly, if a teenager engages in sexting and the recipient is a minor, the teenager can be prosecuted as a sex offender.  This can follow you your whole life and prevent opportunities such as employment.  The embarrassment and possible legal troubles inherent in sexting are not worth the excitement you might feel from sending or receiving a sext message!

​

Tips to avoid getting involved in sexting:

​

• Never, ever EVER send sexting messages!  Even if you trust the recipient, don’t do it!

• If you receive a sext message, delete it immediately and let the sender know that it is in his or her best interest not to send them.

• If you spot a private sext message that someone is sending around, do not send it along.  Also tell the sender not to show anyone else.

• Also, if you know someone whose sexting is being exposed, immediately let them know before it gets even worse.

• If you somehow get involved in a sexting problem, immediately tell your parents.