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Your boyfriend asks you to take
a quick sexy picture and send it to him
on your cell phone. You don’t think twice
about it since he IS your boyfriend.
What happens next?
A. He keeps the picture and
doesn’t show it to anyone.
B. His parents find the
picture on his cell phone, and
they call your parents.
C. He forwards the picture
to all of his friends on the
basketball team…and they
forward it on as well.
D. He posts the picture on
Facebook for everyone to see
– including college
admissions offices and
potential employers.
E. A teacher finds the picture
on his phone and you get
arrested for “sexting.”
F. You have no idea what
will happen to the picture
because even though you
sent it just once to someone
you trust, you have absolutely
no control over where it
ends up.
The answer is
What is “sexting”?
“Sexting” is generally defined as
“the sending or receiving of sexually
explicit or sexually suggestive
images or video via a cell phone.”
In Texas, the definition is much
broader. “Sexting” includes any
possession and/or electronic
transmission by a minor (age 17 and
under) of visual material capturing a
minor engaged in sexual conduct –
which includes still photographs of
the genitals or breasts.
Possible legal
consequences include one
or more
of the following:
• Arrest
• Jail time up to 1 year
• Fine up to $4000
• Court costs and attorney fees
• Community service up to
200 hours
• Court -ordered “Sexting”
educational program attendance
• Cell phone and/or computer
confiscated by law enforcement
• A criminal record
THINK before you hit SEND!
Possible social
consequences include
one or more
of the following:
• Potential worldwide audience
• Embarrassment
• Harassment/bullying from peers
• School expulsion
• Loss of extra-curricular school activities
• Loss of future
educational and employment
opportunities
• Negative effects on
relationships
• Stereotyped by peers
• Psychological effects
including depression and
thoughts of suicide
Reporting
If you receive a text, image or
video that is or could be considered “sexting,” do NOT forward it
or show it to anyone. Contact a
trusted, responsible adult to help
you determine next steps.
Safety Tips for Parents
• Keep the lines of communication
open between you and your
teen. Honest and open dialogue
between you and your teen about
3G
3G
12:04 PM
12:0
4 PM
TF: “Send
F: “Send me a sexy
pTic
ture!” m: e a sexy
picture
!” : ))
Me: “LOL
! :)
UMre:cr“L
zyO
” L! : )
Ur crzy
”
TF: “I won
’t sh w an
TF: “I w
yo e!!”
on’t shoow
anyonne!
!”
Cancel
Cancel
Confirm
Confirm
the dangers of “sexting” is the best possible deterrent. Stay calm and supportive.
• Monitor cell phones, computers and
other electronic devices to know who your
children are communicating with and how.
• Consider safeguarding options available
through your cell phone provider.
• Stay educated on new technology and
how it is used by your teen.
Sexting Statistics
• 39% of all teens have sent sexually
suggestive texts.
• 48% of teens say they have received
such messages.
• 71% of teen girls and 67% of
teen boys who have sent or posted
sexually suggestive content say they
have sent/posted this content to a
boyfriend/girlfriend.
• 21% of teen girls and 39% of teen
boys say they have sent such content
to someone they wanted to date or
hook up with.
• 38% of teens say they have had
sexually suggestive text messages,
originally meant for someone else,
shared with them.
• 25% of teen girls and 33% of teen
boys say they have received semi-nude
or nude images, originally meant for
someone else.