Ten Year Olds Sexting

Sexting as young as ten years old?!?

I recently read a story about ten year old in Australia needing counseling for sexting. The article didn’t state if these ten year olds had their own cell phone but they had access to one to be able to start sexting. A lesson for parents is to talk to your kids about respecting their bodies and not taking or sharing naked photos of themselves or their friends.

If parents are uncomfortable using the term sexting with young kids, then at least talking to them about not taking naked photos of themselves or any body part will help teach them it is not okay to do. Parents today are faced with their kids growing up in the digital age, whether they like it or not, parents need to start to have conversations about what it means to send or share naked photos of themselves or friends.

Parents know their own kids, but kids as young as seven, eight, nine or even younger, are curious about their body parts and others. Without some type of education about what is right and wrong when it comes to showing their body parts could open the door for them to encounter other online dangers with strangers. Young kids who initially send a naked photo may think it is innocent and funny however parents need to talk with young kids about sexting and where the photos could end up. And with having the lines of communication open about sexting, it may help decrease the changes of them sexting as they become a teen.

Have you started to talk to your ten year old about sexting?