A: No parent or guardian wants to be the last one to know that their child is

sexting. Try to maintain open lines of communication with your children so

that they are not afraid to talk to you if they receive inappropriate photos or

are being pressured to send them.

Q: How do I know if my child is sexting?

• Have you ever received a sexual message or naked

picture on your cell phone?

• Has anyone ever asked or pressured you to send a nude

or sexual picture?

• Do you think it’s OK to send “sexy” messages or images?

Why?

• What could happen to you if you send or forward a sexual

text message or naked picture with your cell phone?

• How likely is it that images and messages intended for

one person will be seen by others?

Below are some discussion starters to help you

have the “sexting talk” with your child

THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

of taking, sending, or forwarding a sexual picture of someone

underage, even if it’s of you. You could get kicked off of sports

teams, face humiliation, lose educational opportunities, and

even get in trouble with the law.

NEVER TAKE

images of yourself that you wouldn’t want everyone—your

classmates, your teachers, your family, or your employers—to see.

BEFORE HITTING SEND

remember that you can’t control where this image may travel.

What you send to a boyfriend or girlfriend could easily end up

with their friends, and their friends, and their friends…

IF YOU FORWARD

a sexual picture of someone underage, you are as responsible for

this image as the original sender. You could face child pornography

charges, go to jail, and have to register as a sex offender.

REPORT

any nude pictures you receive on your cell phone to an adult you

trust. Do not delete the message. Instead, get your parents or

guardians, teachers, and school counselors involved immediately.

Tips to Prevent

SEXTING

Visit www.NetSmartz.org


It can be illegal and not too smart! Why ruin your future?
NetSmartz® is an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America for children (ages 5-17), parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safer on the Internet. The NetSmartz Workshop can be accessed at www.NetSmartz.org and www.NetSmartzKids.org.