by Rebecca Boles-O'Donnell

Created on: June 19, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

What is sexting? Sexting is the popular act of sending text messages, images or videos of a sexual nature through cell phone use. Many times the sexual images are distributed through email and other Internet social network sites to others who they were not intended for. It is an issue that can destroy a person's future and reputation if the images fall into the wrong hands.

Sexting is on the rise. It is extremely popular among the teenage population around the world as more and more teenagers have access to cell phones these days. Many parents give their teens cell phones before they begin high school. Parents feel as it is a way to keep their teens safe as they are only a phone call away if their teen ever needs them in case of an emergency. The thing many parents are not aware of is that nearly one-third of today's teens have x-rated images, videos or sexual messages sent to their cell phones on a daily basis. To top that off most of the sexting messages and sexual pictures are sent to a boyfriend or girlfriend to the other. It has also been reported that 1 in 5 of today's teens send nude pictures of themselves to others by phone. So what are our teens really doing with their cell phones?

Sexting has become a growing issue with our youth. The issue of sexting has gotten national attention in newspapers, magazines, television news broadcasts, morning shows and on the Internet. It has been brought to our attention that our teens are engaging in risky behaviour which is not only a danger to themselves but also to others. Once the images have been sent there is no way of telling who might get access to it. The next time you go onto the Internet it could be a nude picture of your teen all over different web pages for the world to see. If this happens who knows how many sexual predators will be after your teen without even knowing it. It has been such a growing concern that many criminal charges have been laid over the illegal distribution of pornography involving anyone under the age of 18 years of age.

Sexting is not only a growing concern for our youth, but also for the parents of these youth. If you feel that your teenager might be engaging in this behaviour sit down with them and talk with them about it. Give your teenager the cold hard truth about all the facts of sending sexual images through their cell phones as well as all of the consequences that they could face if they continue sexting. The best way to keep your teen safe is to be aware of their cell phone use.

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