View this SlideShare for the essential information that every parent of a digital child needs to know about sexting. Download and read the eBook with the same name, http://uknow.co/UNGqDX, for much more information on sexting and sexting prevention.

2. 1. Sexting: What and Why
What:
Sexting is using mobile technology to send a suggestive, nude or semi-nude
text, picture or video of oneself to someone else.
Why:
 Flirting
 Bullying
 Peer Pressure
 Joking Around

3. 2. Sexting Dangers
Short Term: Long Term:
 Unintended people seeing the  The image going viral
image  Denial of scholarships, college
 Humiliation at school admission or job prospects
 Suspension of expulsion from  Conviction or jail time
school  Restrictions on living arrangements
 A bad reputation

4. 3. Sexting Linked With Depression
The Education Development Center in Newton, Massachusetts, analyzed the
results from a group of 23,000 high school students in the Boston area who
were surveyed in 2010.
Of the sampling, 10% reported sending a sext in the
previous year and 13% reported receiving one from
someone else. Those who had sent or received sexual
pictures were more likely to have thoughts about suicide or
attempt it. They were also twice as likely to exhibit signs of
depression and psychological distress.
Of course the study can‟t prove which came first: the
sexting or the depression, but one thing is for sure: get the
message across for your teens that sexting is just bad
news.

5. 4. When Sexting is a Crime
Be aware if your child is dating someone who turns 18 before she or he
does. Depending upon the state that the incident occurs in, being convicted
of a sexting-related crime could mean having to register as a sex offender
for life and, in turn, having trouble getting a job and a place to live.
The bottom line is that creating, possessing and
distributing child pornography is a federal crime,
even if a minor is sending a picture of him or
herself.

6. 5. Sexting Studies
Sexting statistics range from many values depending on the parameters of the survey.
The Crimes Against Children Research Center took a look at several surveys done
from 2008 to 2010 and found that, in a couple of studies that reported high numbers
(more than 20%) of teens sexting, the definition of „sexting‟ was very loose. It also
noted that including 18 and 19-year- olds can distort the term “teen,” as it is a different
issue for two consenting adults to exchange such messages and pictures.
The 20 percent figure that has been widely
reported could be as low as about 10 percent of
minors, as discovered by a 2011 study
published in the journal Pediatrics, that includes
kids as young as 10.

7. 6. Teach Your Kids How to Respond
Stop: Report: Save:
Don‟t hit forward. There are If your child receives an Students shouldn‟t delete a
potential legal ramifications unwanted sexual text sext right away in case it‟s
related to illegal child intended to harass or needed for evidence to
pornography or sexual embarrass, it can fall into make an arrest or to assist
predator laws if they do. the category of in a trial.
cyberbullying, and should
be reported to trusted
adults, school principals or
even the police.

8. 7. Sexting Prevention
Remind Them:
How fast texts and pictures can spread over the Internet.
Inform Them:
That if convicted of transmitting a suggestive photo - even if it‟s of themselves - they could
be expelled, go to jail and possibly have to register as a sex offender.
Monitor Them:
Use a mobile phone monitoring system, such as uKnowKids, and let
them know you‟re trying to keep them safe

9. 8. What to do if Your Child Has Been Sexting
If you do find this out, though, it‟s time for action. Report any unwanted nude
pictures your child has received on his or her cell phone. Do not delete the
message. Instead, get parents or guardians and teachers or school
counselors involved immediately.
As soon as reporting has been taken care of, it is
time for a sit-down conversation with your child
on several important topics: healthy
relationships, peer pressure and self-esteem and
mobile phone rules.

10. 9. Sexting and Schools
Just as there is a need for schools to have policies in place about Internet
use and cyberbullying, they also may have sexting policies. You‟ll want to
know if your child‟s school has a zero tolerance policy. If it does, a child
could get expelled for sexting after a first offense.

11. How Can Help
1. Mobile phone monitoring done by a Parental Intelligence System like uKnowKids makes
it easy to see if your child is sending or receiving inappropriate and potentially illegal
messages.
2. uKnowKids has the ability to monitor and aggregate your child‟s social networks,
including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Instagram, in one place so you can easily
spot any unusual behavior, whether it is inappropriate images or messages exchanged.
3. uKnowKids makes it easier to monitor activities and trends on all social media
platforms. That way, if one person is interacting more with your child, possibly in a
dangerous way, you can easily spot it.
4. Education is a huge part of prevention, and only uKnowKids can keep you updated on
the latest digital dangers and trends.

12. For much more content and a full list of references, resources, and
contributors, download our original eBook entitled
“Understanding Sexting: Nine Things Every Parent Should Know.”
For more information on our Military Appreciation Campaign, cyberbullying,
sexting, or keeping children safe online visit our resources page and give our
product a try with our 30-day free trial.