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Speaking of Teens

#32: Teens, Sexting, Revenge Porn, and Sextortion (Yikes)

teen sexting

It appears that at least 15% of teens have sent a "sext" and at least 27% have received (at least) one. And 90% of teens and tweens believe that most everyone else is sexting. The scientific data on this issue is still in its infancy (as is the phenomenon itself) but from all appearances, many teens accept this new form of communication as part of their sexual exploration.

It also appears our teens are fully aware of the risks but continue to do it anyway (like many other risky activities). Revenge porn and sextortion are a couple of significant consequences that have devastated too many sexting teens. 

We can’t guide our teens through these sexting, cyberbullying and criminal issues unless we’re well aware and familiar with them ourselves. Join me in this episode as we discuss the prevalence of sexting among teens, why they do it, the specific risks involved and how we should think about it and deal with it as parents.

Access TRANSCRIPT here.

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Sources, Resources and Mentions: 

FBI Warning: Sextortion Crimes on the Increase: Talk to your Kids

Cyberbullying.org

Patchin and Hinduja's article (It's Time to Teach Safe Sexting) with 10 tips

Weinstein and James "Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing)"

For Parents and Teens (Safe Sexting):

Sexting: Early Conversations with Children 6-11 yrs

Sexting: Talking with Teenagers (12-18 yrs)

Sexting and Teenagers: Practical Steps for Problem Situations

It's Time to Teach Safe Sexting

FBI Resources and Podcast on Sextortion (and contact info for reporting)

Documentaries (I failed to mention!):

Sextortion: The Hidden Pandemic (I believe you can watch for free here)

The Most Hated Man on the Internet

Studies:

Sexting Scripts in Adolescent Relationships: Is Sexting Becoming the Norm?

Coerced Sexting and Revenge Porn Among Teens

Sexting Behavior in Adolescents

Revenge Porn in Adolescents

Associations between sexual music lyrics and sexting across adolescence

Associations Between Sexting, Cyberbullying and Bullying

Association of Sexting With Sexual Behaviors

Coerced Sexting and Revenge Porn Among Teens
and Mental Health Among Adolescents

Articles, etc.:

More than 500 child victims of revenge porn in England and Wales last year

Disturbing revenge porn trend soars among young Aussies

The FBI on the Justin Testani case

About the Ryan Last Case

Arrest of Ryan Last's Tormentor

About the Jordan DeMay Case

About the Brandon Guffey Case

Missouri high school teacher/predator 

Snapchat hacker, Barton Scott

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