Sexting in 8th Grade
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I have a dear friend who I have known since grade school. She is the mother of three children, the oldest being in 8th grade.
Given my profession and her being an all-around fabulous mother, we tend to have conversations about sexuality, pornography, sexting and children.
I recently re-posted my blog on Child Pornography Prevention on social media. This was inspired by a local priest being arrested for possession of child pornography. From this, my friend and I had a great conversation I thought I would share (with her permission).
My prevention work focuses more on parents than it does on children. I want parents to start talking to their kids about sex and pornography. Parents tend to not do this. There are many reasons, mostly the fact that it is awkward and embarrassing.
“I used to think I was a good enough parent to protect her. I decided to educate her on how to protect herself as well. The education is never ending.”
Talking to Kids about Porn
“Talking to my oldest daughter about these things is… hard… for both of us. She’s 11. She uses the internet.”
My friend also employs all the tools she can to ensure her children are not unwittingly exposed to pornography online. She and her husband use parental controls but we all know sometimes this is not enough.
“We have parental controls. They don’t always work as they should. She goes to kids houses where there are computers, these kids have smart phones etc, not locked down AT ALL… because they have ‘good kids’ who wouldn’t bother to look at ‘that stuff.'”
As my friend points out, as a parent, you do what you can in your own home to avoid unwanted exposure to this content, but you don’t know what the parents of your child’s friends are doing.
Much of the exposure to pornography is via peers.
Just because your house is safe, doesn’t mean that someone else’s house is.
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Building Trust
So my friend and her husband have taken the leap and had the uncomfortable conversations with their daughter about sex, cybersex, pornography, sexting and sexualization of others.
“We decided we had to go there. The conversation continues because we have opened a door and she now knows we are capable of having these conversations. Is it fun? No. Do I look forward to them? Sure… like I do a root canal… but they are imperative, as are these conversations.”
So what happens when you talk to your child often about sexuality?
It becomes more comfortable.
They learn that they can safely bring their concerns to you because the topic isn’t taboo and you won’t react badly.
They trust you with this information.
The end result of this trust was on display for my friend and her daughter just a few weeks into the school year. My friend’s daughter is in 8th grade.
Results of Trust
“She has already talked to me THIS school year about her 8th grade friend on the bus sexting.”
Her daughter came to her this year with this concern because they had already talked about these issues. It was a topic that, though still uncomfortable for both of them, was an approachable topic. Her daughter has the knowledge to arm herself in the digital age and to make better choices for herself as she interacts online with her peers.
Education about sexuality and cybersex is imperative in today’s world. In my friend’s words:
“I used to think I was a good enough parent to protect her. I decided to educate her on how to protect herself as well. The education is never ending.”
Avoid Denial
My dear friend ended our conversation with this quote which is dear to my heart.
I couldn’t agree with her more.
Many parents don’t think that their child would sext.
They don’t think that their child would look at pornography.
I implore you to not be in denial.
Sexting on the bus in 8th grade is a reality. If your child is sexting or looking at online pornography, it is not a reflection of your parenting skills. It is a reflection of the age we live in.
Talk to your children, please.
Sexting in 8th Grade – Part II
This post contains affiliate links. The author or blog owner may earn a commission if you make a purchase using these links.
Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.
Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.
