Parenting | Internet Parenting

The Secret Language of Sexting

No matter who hard we try to protect our children, it is getting harder to do with every technological advancement. The fast rise of texting means that all of that bathroom talk has gone live. Kids now use a special language of acronyms for sexting. That means they’re talking about sex through text messages. Since this form of communication is without the flesh and blood experience, it can easily be used to bully a child or make an awkward child think he or she can get friends by engaging it dirty talk. As a parent, get to know the secret language of sexting.

You’re paying the phone bill. You agreed to let your child have texting, so you’re responsible for monitoring that phone at random, unexpected times. Confiscate it and start scrolling those texts. If you see some combination of letters you don’t recognize as a familiar acronym, demand to know what it means. If your kid refuses to tell you, then you’ve just been given license to look it up yourself.

You can do that. Simply search “sexting acronyms list,” and websites will pop up with lists of sex acronyms. A few that should really alarm you are:
8 – that means oral sex
1174 – that means nude club
420 – that means marijuana
IWSN – that means I want sex now

Pretty scary isn’t it. Also check for pictures of your child exposing him or herself. These texts get forwarded and the damage can’t be reversed. Children have committed suicide over sexting scandals. It started as a desperate attempt to be popular and it ended in the child being chastised as a slut or prostitute. Kids are mean, and technology is fast. Parents have to be technically savvy and on top of those texts and Facebook pages to really protect children from some damaging trap they’ll always regret.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Parenting Tagged With: Sexting

How to Know if Your Teen is Sexting

Technology has certainly changed the ways that teenage boys and girls communicate. It used to be a note in class or a phone call but now they use email, social networking sites and text messages. Electronic communication has made it possible to also send photos and graphic images and parents need to monitor the activity of their teens on the internet.

The practice of exchanging flirty messages electronically is known as sexting. It could be a sexually suggestive comment or a nude photo. If your teen is hiding his phone from you or shutting down the computer when you approach, he may be involved in something that is inappropriate. Even if you have installed internet filters on your computer a savy teen can find ways around it.

If you think your teen would not engage in sexting, think again. A recent national study reveals that 20% of the teens asked have sent electronically or posted online nude or semi-nude photos of themselves. The survey also revealed that one third of all teen boys who were asked say that they have received a nude image from someone else. Add in the fact that almost 80% of teens have cellphones with cameras and you can see that there could be a potential problem.

The best way to check up on your teen is to monitor their use of the computer and cell phone. Go back through old text messages or emails and find out if any images have been downloaded. Your teen may object to having his privacy invaded but as a parent you must make it clear that checking up on them is a condition of having a phone or access to the internet. They may end up being mad at your for awhile but at least you know that they are safe.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Sexting

Sexting can Lead to Criminal Charges

There is a great debate among law enforcement agencies across the country over how to handle cases involving teens who send sexually explicit images over their cell phones. Sexting has become a very common practice with 45% of teenage boys saying they have sent or received a racy image by cell phone and prosecutors are not sure how to handle the teens when they get caught.

The most literal interpretation of the law is to handle the cases under child pornography statutes which carry very severe punishments. Even though these laws were intended for pedophiles who prey on young children, they have been used many times to prosecute teens who were engaging in what they thought were harmless activities. Critics say it is not fair to handle these cases in the same way that prosecutors handle child pornography cases because most of the teens meant no harm.

In many cases, prosecutors have filed child porn charges against teens involved in sexting to try and send a message that the practice can have severe consequences but later they are more than willing to plea bargain the case down to a misdemeanor. The prosecutor will typically hold a news conference for the media and try to get a great deal of attention for the case and threaten the teens with years in prison and the prospects of having to register for the rest of their lives as a sex offender.

In an effort to avoid having sexting teens being treated like other sex offenders, a number of states are adopting new laws that specifically address cases where one teen sends a nude photo to another. Lawmakers are recognizing that teens who do that should not face the same consequences as those who exploit and prey on children. The new laws do not require that the offender be labelled as a sex offender which could impact where they live and what they do the rest of their life.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Parenting Tagged With: Child pornography, Sexting

Is Your Child Being Bullied Online?

How do you know if your son or daughter is the victim of cyber bullying? As social networking sites become more and more popular and use of the web more widespread, cyber bullying has become more common. Organized smear campaigns are easier than ever to run and some of the cases have ended with the target committing suicide.

If your child has been a regular internet user or frequently communicates with friends by cell phone and stops suddenly, that could be a warning sign that there may be a problem. An abrupt change in their online behavior could be an indication that they are the target of a cyber bully. Ask your child if there is a problem because they may be too embarrassed to come to you to talk about it.

Changes in behavior are another indication that there might be something going on. Does the child seem withdrawn or preoccupied? Do they get nervous when their cell phone rings or an email comes in? This could be another sign that they are being bullied on the internet. A sudden drop in grades or a lack of interest in school activities may also be an indication that there is a problem.

In order to protect your child, it is important that you visit the sites that your son or daughter goes to. Do not be embarrassed to check out their postings on Facebook or other similiar sites to try and gain some insight into what might be going on. It is also justified to check their phone to see what type of text messages are being exchanged and if they have any inappropriate photos stored in the media gallery. Tell your child that you being able to monitor their phone and internet activity is one of the conditions of their having the privelege to use the devices.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Parenting Tagged With: bully, Cyber-bullying, Facebook

Warn Your Kids About Sexting

The activity may seem to be harmless and is often just considered fun, flirty behavior. It is only natural to assume that teens who rely so much on sending text messages to their friends may also get involved in sexting. What they don’t realize is that what starts out as fun can lead to major trouble.

Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit messages or photos over the phone and a new survey reveals that 20% of the teens asked have admitted to doing it. While the activity initially starts just between friends, there have been tragic results when the images end up in the wrong hands. There have been a number of cases of sexting where photographs that were just intended for one person ended up plastered all over the internet.

The message that parents must communicate to their children is that the images can cause great embarassment if they get out and get out they will. A boyfriend might forward the picture his girlfriend too his friends to show off. There have also been cases where the image is posted on the web after a bad break up between the former lovers. Your child may not think it could happen to them but as a parent you need to make them aware of other cases where teens felt the same way but ended up getting burned.

The story of a Cincinnati teen who committed suicide after a racy photo of her was circulated has been well documented in the media. The mother of the girl even went on the Today Show to warn other parents about how harmless fun can turn tragic. Jesse Logan was a student at Sycamore High School and was tormented over photos she sent to a boyfriend which were distributed to all of her classmates after they broke up.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Adolescence, Sexting, Sycamore High School, Text messaging

Parenting an Unruly Child

What is the best way to discipline a child? When children misbehave it is important to punish them but there is a great debate over what type of punishment is appropriate. There are experts who say it is never appropriate to spank a child and parents who say if you spare the rod you spoil the child. Parenting an unruly child can be very challenging.

The reason that a parent is struggling to control an unruly child is probably because of parenting mistakes that have been made in the past. Perhaps they were too permissive or inconsistent in how discipline was handled in the past. That is something that must change if the behavior of the child is going to change.

One mistake that many parents make is that they threaten discipline which they never carry out. A child becomes used to the threats and knows that you are not going to follow through on them or will later give in. It is imperative that if you say you are going to take the video game system away for a week that you really disconnect the machine if the child breaks your rules.

Experts will tell you that to control an unruly child you must set clear rules for what is acceptable and what is not. If the child does not conform then there will be clear consequences for their actions. For example, if you say they must turn in all homework to be eligible to play on a sports team, then you must block them from participating in the next game if an assignment is missed.

It is very difficult as a parent to do something to a child that is going to make them unhappy but it is the only way to teach them that they are responsible for their own actions. If sports are important to them, they will do their homework.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Child discipline, Family, Parent

Warning Signs That Your Child is Being Bullied

No child should have to put up with bullying behavior. The teasing and tormenting that comes with being bullied can leave scars that last forever. To try and protect kids the United States Department of Health and Human Services has launched a campaign titled “Stop Bullying Now.”

The “Stop Bullying Now” campaign has its own website where it lists the warning signs that your child may be being bullied. The government publication says to look for torn or ripped pieces of clothing and other signs that your child has been in a fight. If your child suddenly shows disinterest in school or has started a new route to school, these could be signs that he is being picked on.

If you notice any of these warning signs, parents are encouraged to confront their children about their suspicions. In addition to talking to the child, it is important to talk to teachers and administrators about your suspicions and inquire if they have noticed anything that could signal a problem.

Unfortunately, too many kids who are picked on by bullies are too embarrassed to say anything about it or tell anyone. For this reason, the government campaign encourages others to speak up on behalf of the kids who are being picked on. Research shows that the effects of being bullied can lead to anxiety issues, depression and even suicidal thoughts.

The wrong way to confront a bully is to tell your child to stand up to them and fight back. Most school districts have clear policies that deal with bullying and violence is not the answer. Instead, encourage your child to avoid the bully and work through the proper channels to confront the aggressor. If there is trouble involving a bully at school encourage your child to seek out an adult so that it can be reported to the proper authorities.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Parenting Tagged With: Bullying, Child, United States Department of Health and Human Services

There is no Place at School for Bullies

A growing number of school districts are adopting no tolerance policies against bullying. The schools are also bringing in expert speakers to help staff members identify bullying behavior in an attempt to stop it before it spreads. The training not only helps staff members identify potential bullies but the children who may be most at risk of being picked on.

There are three basic types of bullying behavior; physical intimidation, verbal harassment and exclusion. Each can be devastating to the person who is being targeted. The harm that is inflicted, whether it be physcially or emotionally can scar a person for life which is why it is so important to establish an environment at school that is free from all types of bullying behavior.

It is the responsibility of the school district to provide a safe and secure environment for all children and that means one where bullying of any type is never accepted. First, the children should be taught exactly what bullying is and told that it is never to be tolerated and should always be reported. Encourage students to stand up for each other when they see this type of behavior and inform someone in authority.

The children who are typically picked on by bullies may have some type of physical or mental disability which makes it even more important to protect them. At school, the behavior can start as early as kindergarten with some children purposely excluded from games on the playground. It also manifests itself in teasing with kids making fun of other children who are different. This is where teachers need to intervene to stop the behavior and encourage activities that are more inclusive of the entire class. It is the responsibility of the teacher to teach lessons of tolerance and acceptance as part of the regular classroom curriculum.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Parenting Tagged With: Bullying, Child, School district, Teacher

School District Policies Regarding Bullying

What punishment should be handed down when instances of bullying are discovered at school? A growing number of states have passed laws ordering a crackdown on this type of behavior and they have instructed school administrators to toughen their own policies for dealing with bullies. There have been a number of well documented cases across the country where kids who were picked on at school have committed suicide because they were so disturbed by the teasing.

The state of Georgia has what is believed to be the toughest anti-bullying law in the country. The bill was prompted by the suicide of an 11 year old child who committed suicide after being teased at school for being gay. The Georgia law not only covers typical bullying behavior at school or on the playground but also covers instances of internet bullying which involves the use of email or text messages. This law requires any staff member in a school to immediately report any suspicion that someone is being bullied and hands down severe consequences to those who fail to report it. It also requires that parents be notified.

The Georgia law also requires a series of workshops in the schools across the state to train employees how to identify bullying. Once an instance of bullying is reported to the school principal, a thorough investigation must be launched. This requires interviews of the students involved and any adults who may have witnessed it. The law requires that teh investigation be completed within ten days so that swift justice can be handed down.

If there is evidence discovered to confirm that bullying has taken place, the principal has several options for punishing the people responsible. They can require counseling for behavior modification, a suspension from school and even an expulsion if the circumstances merit it. The same punishment can be handed down against anyone who purposely makes a false allegation of bullying against another student.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Parenting Tagged With: Bullying, Georgia, Head teacher, Violence and Abuse