Sexting

At 17 I sat at a computer in the front room with a cord running across the room into the kitchen to the nearest phone line to use a chat room on AOL. It was usually pretty harmless, every once in awhile someone saying something slightly crude or suggestive. But overall we spent our time in meaningless conversations about our favorite bands or our height, weight and hair color. Today's teens would laugh at the primitiveness of the experience. They no longer are tethered to a phone cord or even use chat rooms. They have MySpace, text messaging, and internet access all in their pockets. As parents we have to be aware that what connects our kids to their friends can also connect them to the unsavory.

For years we have been hearing about sexual predators targeting our kids on the internet. I hope all the ideas for keeping your kids safe on the internet have been applied in your homes. And that as parents you are vigilant in checking web histories and teaching your kids that if anything ever shows up on their screen that is pornographic in nature or just makes them uncomfortable to flip off the computer in that instant.

Times are changing again. With cell phones and text messaging predators have found a new way to reach our kids. This new practice of sexting has become increasingly popular. Luckily, Rep. Gibson (kwgibson@utah.gov) is acknowleding that rise in this behavior and is carrying a bill (HB 327) that will make it a crime to entice a minor with a text message to engage in an unlawful sexual act. It's a good bill, and one that will probably pass through both houses easily.

As parents we must take the time to check up on our kids. Read their MySpace and Facebook pages, review the pictures and text messages they have received and sent on their phones, and talk often about what is okay and what's not. I know you know, but it is always good to get a reminder that while we have good kids, they can still be influenced by the shmuck around them.