Sexting and its Consequences
- Sexting has real consequences. In some cases, sexting may cause emotional distress if the sender’s images or messages are forwarded on to unintentional audiences.
- Sexting between a minor (someone under 18) and an adult violates child pornography laws in most states, regardless of whether the images sent or received were consensual. The consequences of this behavior, whether sending or receiving, are real and could be long-term.
- Talk to your kids about the serious consequences of sexting, create family rules and use parental monitoring/management tools. By proactively addressing inappropriate sexting before it becomes an issue, parents and kids can help prevent it from happening.