Keeping Teens From Getting Involved in Sexting Apps

The growing data trends of teen cell phone usage have grown immensely. Even children as young as eight years old are noted to own a smartphone, which can present issues in and of itself on many levels. Aside from just time spent on the phone, children and teens are easily engaged in apps and platforms that can expose them to the possibility of sextortion or sexting. Sexting is defined as sexual material that is exchanged over electronic devices, such as smartphones, cellphones, or even laptops.  Sexting is unfortunately not unusual for adolescents; sexting attempts (even for very young children) have risen over 180% since 2020, while nearly half of children and teens have sent or received a sexual text by the time they turn 13. With all of this alarming information, it’s imperative that we, as adults, do better to help prevent kids from getting involved in apps that might lead to sexting or sextortion. In this article, we will discuss how parents can keep kids safe from sexting apps. We will also note some concerns that can arise with teen cell phone usage. Let’s get started! 

Cell Phone Usage Among Adolescents

Texting is a daily means of communication for both teens and adults alike. Research notes that half of those teenagers with cell phones send at least 50 texts a day, if not more; this number increases with female teens between 14 and 17 years of age, who send upwards of 100 texts a day or more.  While it can be comforting for parents to know you can get in touch with your child at the click of a button, children and teens most certainly utilize their phones in other ways. For example:

• Over 80% use their phone for pictures
• Over 60% share their pictures
• Over 60% listen to music
• Over 40% play games

Let’s focus on the fact that over ¾ of teens with phones use them for taking pictures - some of which could be sexual in nature. In addition, research shows that at least 15% of teenagers have gotten a sexual text from someone that they know.  While some outlets might not consider sexting to be outright harmful, the consequences can vary significantly from person to person - especially for females. Studies have pointed toward more girls being the subject of humiliation and insults (as opposed to their male counterparts). In addition, the desire to feel and be popular is a significant reason for teenage sexting, as is being accepted by their peers. These factors combined can lead to a storm of emotional issues, as well as teens being shunned for sexting - or not.  So, with this information, what can parents do to help keep their children from sexting apps?

How to Keep Teens Safe From Sexting

As a parent, you might think you are on top of patrolling what is on your child’s phone; however, if you aren’t communicating with them and staying aware of the apps that can be a segway to sexting, it could be occurring right under your nose without you even knowing it. This is especially true when there are apps that allow messages to be deleted after a certain amount of time, such as VaporChat and Snapchat.  One of the biggest things you can do for your child - even outside the realm of sexting - is to be involved in what your son or daughter is doing online. Do they have their own smartphone? Who pays for it? What apps are allowed within your household?  Letting your teen know that having a phone is a privilege is so crucial - and on the flip side, letting them know that you are trusting them with the responsibility of it is also important. Not only does this give your teen the opportunity to shine, but it can also give them a confidence boost, which can reduce the need for them to feel like they have to outshine their peers. 

Next Steps

If you feel as though you’ve set adequate boundaries with your teen surrounding cell phone usage and they are still choosing to disobey and utilize apps that could lead them down the wrong path, reach out to the team at Liahona Academy. The team of specialists is able to help you model the boundaries that you want your child to emulate while also setting ground rules that will allow them to thrive in a positive manner.  This could look like helping your child to let others know they are not comfortable around those who are abusing substances and learning how to stand up for themselves in situations with peers where they might feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. While the specific details and goals will vary from person to person, the team at Liahona Academy will be there to support, guide, and walk alongside you and your family one step at a time to point your teen in the right direction.